Jury Trial Date in Hit-and-Run Incident Set in Lake City, May 2026
After near-monthly court hearings in Gunnison and coming up on a year since the January, 2025, hit-and-run accident which left a Lake City man paralyzed, a court date has been set for a four-day jury trial in which Keenan Blake Earley faces a variety of felony charges, including Vehicular Assault, Reckless Driving, Accident Involving Death or Serious Bodily Injury and Duty to Report Accident.7th Judicial District Judge Kellie Starritt once again presided at a short, 20-minute status hearing in district court in Gunnison last Thursday afternoon, December 11, during which she conferred with both prosecution and court-appointed defense, referencing the protracted delay and the fact that since June or July last summer, “victims are ready to resolve this case one way or another.” Barring a potential change in dates as outcome of status hearing February 12, 2026, and a Pretrial Conference on April 23 next year, Earley’s district court jury trial is tentatively set in the upstairs courtroom of Hinsdale County Courthouse in Lake City May 26-29, 2026.Attendance before Judge Starritt at last week’s status hearing was minimal, both Earley and his court appointed defense, Patrick Crane, attending remotely by Webex, and the prosecution, Jessica Wagner from the 7th Judicial District DA’s office, attending in person.Also attending remotely from Lake City and nodding her head in agreement with the judge’s recommendation to proceed to trial, was Phyllis Bairrington.Public Defender Patrick Crane indicated that both he and another Montrose-based Public Defender, Steven Rodemeyer, will represent Earley at the Lake City trial and that the delay to date involves paint chip analysis by Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensics.That final element of evidence is expected shortly, after which Crane said Defense will be prepared for trial.District Attorney Office’s Wagner asked Judge Starritt to schedule either a four or five-day 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. trial, with first day set aside for jury selection starting 8:30 a.m.In advance of the tentative four-day May Lake City trial date — and with both Earley and Bairrington and defense and prosecution reps silently nodding in agreement — a motion hearing is scheduled in Gunnison at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 12, 2026, and a tentative Pretrial Conference at which Earley is requested to attend in person at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 23. Never miss a local story! Subscribe to the Lake City Silver World and receive the local news right to your inbox or mailbox
