Jody Weber Obituary, Death: Authorities identify woman killed in suspected DUI wrong-way crash on I-70.

Jody Weber Obituary, Death – A tragic wrong-way crash on Interstate 70 in Wheat Ridge, suspected to be caused by a drunk driver, claimed the life of a 36-year-old mother and left her young son injured. Authorities have released new details from an arrest affidavit shedding light on the devastating accident that shut down the highway for hours on Thursday.

Crash Scene and Investigation

The crash occurred on eastbound I-70 near the Ward Road ramps. When officers arrived at the scene, they found two heavily damaged vehicles:

• A Ford Escape, which had come to a stop facing north in the dirt between the off-ramp and on-ramp. The front end of the vehicle was severely damaged.
• A Lexus RX350, found facing east on the north shoulder of I-70, just west of the Ward Road off-ramp. The vehicle had extensive damage on the front driver’s side, extending to the driver’s door.

The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the driver of the Ford Escape as Jody Weber, a 36-year-old Lakewood resident. She was found deceased in the backseat of her vehicle, and authorities believe she was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Survivor’s Condition

Weber’s two-year-old son was found in his car seat in the backseat. While he sustained scrapes and bruises, officials confirmed that his injuries were not life-threatening. He was taken to the hospital for evaluation and later released.

His father, Steven Chavez, spoke about the emotional toll the accident has had on the child. “He’s looking for his momma,” Chavez said tearfully in an interview. “Every time someone knocks on the door or he hears her phone ring, he thinks it’s her. He doesn’t understand. It’s really hard for him.”

Suspect’s Behavior and Arrest

The suspected wrong-way driver, Jian Bin Chen, 34, was found at the scene exiting the Lexus through the front passenger door. Officers reported that Chen voluntarily entered the back of a patrol car after stepping out of his vehicle.

Police noted several signs of intoxication, including a strong smell of alcohol on his breath, bloodshot eyes, and difficulty maintaining his balance. However, communication was reportedly challenging, as Chen told officers his English was not very good.

A firefighter who evaluated him for injuries stated that Chen believed he was in Oklahoma, where his driver’s license was issued. The firefighter also reported the smell of alcohol on his breath. Chen was taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation, where two blood draws were conducted. The results of those tests are still pending.

Witness Accounts and Wrong-Way Driving

Investigators spoke with witnesses who described erratic driving behavior before the crash.

• One witness said the silver SUV was braking and swerving across three lanes and onto the right shoulder while moving slower than the speed limit.
• The same witness reported that after both vehicles exited at Kipling Street, the SUV turned the wrong way onto the I-70 eastbound exit ramp, re-entering the highway in the opposite direction.
• Another driver recalled narrowly avoiding a collision with the SUV around 5:10 a.m., estimating its speed at 40 to 50 mph.

Legal Consequences and Community Response

Chen now faces multiple charges, including:

• Negligent manslaughter
• Vehicular homicide
• Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI)
• Driving on the wrong side of a divided highway
• Failure to present proof of insurance

Authorities emphasized that DUI crashes are preventable, highlighting an alarming 62% increase in DUI-related collisions in Wheat Ridge in 2024. Public Information Officer Alex Rose expressed frustration over the ongoing issue: “We can control enforcement, but we can’t control people’s behavior behind the wheel.”

Support for the Victim’s Family

In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Weber’s family cover funeral expenses. As the community mourns her loss, the case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving and the devastating consequences it can bring.

Authorities continue to investigate the crash, and further legal proceedings against Chen are expected as blood test results become available.