A La Plata County man has pleaded not guilty to vehicular homicide in connection to the death of professional cyclist Benjamin Sonntag.
Cordell Schneider, 19, is accused of striking and killing Sonntag, a 39-year-old professional mountain biker from Durango, while driving a pickup truck on County Road 105 shortly after noon on March 4.
Sonntag, who was riding his bike at the time, tried to avoid the truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation into the crash found Schneider was traveling an estimated 65 mph in a 35 mph zone when he lost control of the truck, struck Sonntag and then went down a steep embankment before hitting a tree and coming to a rest.
Schneider was charged with vehicular homicide, a Class 4 felony, and reckless driving.
On Friday, Schneider pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Joel Fry, did not respond to a request for comment.
Sixth Judicial District Attorney Christian Champagne said a trial date had not been set of as Friday afternoon.
“That will occur at a later time,” Champagne said.
Sonntag was originally from Germany, but moved to Durango in 2007. He graduated from Fort Lewis College in 2010 and was a prominent figure in the mountain bike community, winning multiple collegiate national championships for the FLC cycling program.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
