Turning Back the Pages

30 years ago – August 29, 1986

Charlie Jones and Merlin Olson were in Central City this week shooting “The American Frontier,” a series for PBS television. The shows will be five to six minute fillers, Jones said. In all, 20 episodes are being made, six of them in Colorado. Tuesday, they were shooting footage in front of the Teller House, talking about President Grant’s visit and the face on the barroom floor. Jones said the shows will be aired after the first of the year. Olson and Jones are two of the best known football commentators on national television. And, speaking of pro football, watch next week’s Register-Call for the first installment of a weekly football contest sponsored by the Gilded Garter Saloon & Restaurant.

Daren Hayes, a 16 year old resident of Gilpin County, was fatally injured in a single car accident last Saturday. The accident was reported at approximately 9:00 p.m. by a resident of Black Hawk. Two students from Gilpin County School were at the scene of the accident, according to Deputy Jon Bayne of the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Department, although they were not in the car with Hayes. According to the report filed by Trooper Sam Mitchell of the Colorado State Patrol, Hayes was driving a 1979 Ford Mustang. The car was going east on Highway 46 when it went off the right side of the road. Mitchell reported that the Mustang collided with a boulder that caused it to become airborne. The vehicle reportedly vaulted onto its top and skidded 25 feet. It came to rest 61 feet west of Norton Road, which is the entrance to the Chalet Park Subdivision. Mitchell estimated Hayes’ driving speed at 30 mph in a 30 mph zone. The road condition was wet, as reported by Mitchell. Hayes was not wearing a seat belt when the accident occurred and was not ejected from the car. Hayes was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 10:00 p.m., despite efforts to save his life by members of the county ambulance service. Members of the High Country Fire Department also responded to the accident. Hayes reportedly died of head injuries. Mitchell reported that it is unknown if Hayes had been drinking prior to the accident. Hayes was the son of Linda and Randy Hayes. Randy Hayes is an emergency medical technician and was one of the first to arrive at the scene of his son’s accident Saturday night.