Steamboat Pilot & Today

Hayden Mayor Joseph Schminkey resigns

Steamboat Springs — Hayden Mayor Joseph Schminkey has resigned, citing his purchase of a new home outside of Hayden. Schminkey announced his resignation at a Hayden Town Board meeting Thursday night. His resignation is effective Oct. 1.

"Hayden will miss Joe's leadership on growth issues and his straightforward approach to town business," states a news release from the town.

Mayor Pro Tem Charles Grobe, a former Hayden mayor, will take over until the Town Board appoints a new mayor, a move expected to occur in mid-October or early November.

Schminkey was out of town Friday and unavailable for comment. When reached by telephone at home Friday night, Hayden Town Manager Russ Martin refused to comment until Monday.

Yampa man sought in rollover death

The Routt County Sheriff's Office has obtained an arrest warrant for the 43-year-old Yampa man believed to have been driving a Jeep that crashed and killed its passenger, a Mexican sheepherder, on Sept. 16.

Sheriff's Office Investigator Mike Curzon said Howard Scott Williamson is facing charges of failing to remain at the scene of an accident involving death, criminally negligent homicide, careless driving causing death, driving under suspension, failing to report an accident and violating a protection order.

Routt County Coroner Rob Ryg said the vehicle's passenger, Quirino Valentin Aguilar, suffocated after being pinned under the vehicle for several minutes. Ryg said the other injuries Aguilar suffered as a result of the accident were not life-threatening.

Williamson has not been seen since the day of the accident.

Williamson was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee when the vehicle rolled down an embankment off Forest Service Road 900 near Yampa. Williamson is thought to have fled into the Routt National Forest.

Anyone with information about the accident or Williamson's whereabouts is asked to call Curzon or Investigator Ken Klinger at 879-1090.