Ex-Superior police officer gets prison in drunk driving crash that killed infant, father

A former Superior police officer has been sentenced to 5 years in prison after he killed a father and his infant son while drunk driving two years ago.

Former Sgt. Greg Swanson, 44, of Superior, pleaded guilty in April to two counts of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. Swanson had faced a dozen charges in the crash that claimed the life of 23-year-old Michael Evans and 2-month-old infant Elijah Ojanen. Ten of those charges were dismissed.

Douglas County Judge George Glonek ordered Swanson to serve concurrent sentences of 10 years on each count, according to online court records. He will spend 5 years behind bars and undergo 5 years of extended supervision.

According to court records, Assistant Attorney General Tara M. Jenswold, a special prosecutor in the case, said Swanson should have known the risks of impaired driving. Swanson was traveling at 54 mph in a 35-mph zone at the time of the crash. More than an hour after the incident, he had a blood-alcohol content of .19 percent, well over the legal driving limit of .08 percent.

Swanson’s attorney Chris Gramstrup said his client feels deep remorse, offering deepest sympathies to family members of the victims.

According to an amended complaint, Swanson crashed into a disabled vehicle occupied by Evans, the infant and a woman on July 15, 2022. Evans was outside pushing the car when it was struck from behind, and died at the scene.

After the collision, Swanson allegedly left the scene and drove to a nearby gas station and then contacted police dispatch. Two witnesses who were driving home from work came upon the crash and called 911. They stopped at the scene to offer help and reported hearing the woman yelling, “Why are you leaving? Somebody help me.”

A Douglas County Sheriff’s deputy who arrived at the gas station reported Swanson had glossy, bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol. Another witness said they saw him throw alcoholic drinks into a garbage can. A second sheriff’s deputy observed four cans of Bud Light Seltzer in a container and another can in the trash.

Swanson was put on paid administrative leave following the crash. He resigned from the Superior Police Department on Aug. 4, 2022.

The court ordered Swanson not to have contact with the victim’s family unless initiated by them. Swanson’s license has been revoked for five years. When his license is reinstated, he will be required to use an interlock ignition device on every vehicle registered to him.