Kaylee Russell's Cause of Death Revealed in Tragic Crash

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Kaylee Russell, a 20-year-old from Ault, Colorado, was found deceased after her vehicle went off the road, hit an embankment, and rolled into a canal. Investigators determined that Russell was driving at nearly twice the advised speed limit, was actively texting, and had marijuana in her system at the time of the fatal crash.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of distracted and impaired driving, which continue to be major contributors to motor vehicle accidents and fatalities, especially among young drivers. It underscores the need for greater education and enforcement around safe driving practices.

The details

According to the Colorado State Patrol, Russell was traveling northbound on Larimer County Road 1 at around 60 mph when she approached a left curve with an advised speed of 25 mph. The vehicle went up an embankment, hit a utility marker, continued up the embankment, and then rolled into a canal, coming to rest on its roof partially submerged in water. The investigation also found that Russell was actively using a mobile device to send a text message at the time of the crash, and a toxicology report confirmed the presence of marijuana, which was a contributing factor.

• Kaylee Russell went missing on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
• A coordinated search party was started on December 4, 2025 to locate Russell and her vehicle.
• Russell's vehicle was discovered partially submerged in a canal on Larimer County Road 1 on an unknown date.
• The Colorado State Patrol released the cause of death on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.