Suspected drunk driver accused of injuring woman, killing unborn child

LONGMONT, Colo. — Police have identified the victims of a hit-and-run accident that critically injured a pregnant woman and killed her unborn child. The alleged suspect has been identified as a multiple DUI offender.

Longmont Police Cmdr. Jeff Satur said a witness followed Gary Sheats, a 52-year-old  who was driving a Dodge Durango and caused the accident near the intersection of Pace Street and 17th Avenue. The witness led police to Sheats, who stopped on the 1200 block of Winslow Circle Thursday night.

27-year-old Heather Surovik, who was in her third trimester of pregnancy, was driving a Pontiac sedan east on 17th Avenue when she was hit by the Durango and smashed into a car in the left turn lane.

Surovik was carrying two passengers — her mother, 48-year-old Terry Koester, and Surovik’s 5-year-old son. Koester suffered serious injuries and was treated and released from Longmont United Hospital. The 5-year-old’s injuries were minor.

Surovik’s condition hasn’t been released, but her father Scott Koester issued a statement saying his daughter “is making good strides toward recovery, which will be a long road, but she is alert and talking.”

Longmont Police were still investigating the incident Friday. But Satur says Sheats was driving under the influence.

A judge set bond for Sheats at $100,000 during his first court appearance Friday. Prosecutors called him an extreme risk to the community. He has a lengthy list of prior violations, according to a Longmont Police Department release.

In the past, he has been charged with two felony counts of vehicular assault, one felony count of leaving the scene of an accident after causing injuries, leaving the scene of an accident, driving under the influence, driving under the influence with a BAC greater than .08, driving under the Influence with three or more prior arrests, disregarding a traffic control device, driving while driver’s License is under restraint, possession of less than one ounce marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.