US Snowboarder Jailed for Crash After Fleeing the Scene
5th September 2026
Eric “Riku” Banushi was sent to prison for 45 days after he hit a skier in Aspen and then fled the scene. The incident took place in February 2024. NEW
He was convicted of third-degree assault, reckless endangerment and violating the Colorado Ski Safety Act.
The court heard he crashed into Anne Cassidy who had just got off the Gent’s Ridge lift in the Colorado resort.
She suffered an ACL tear in both knees, an MCL tear in her knee, a medial root injury in her right knee, a torn meniscus in her right knee, a shoulder injury and an injury to her right hand.
“The collision upended my life and my family’s life for two years,” she said to The Aspen Times.
“The reason why this case particularly came forward to court is because the defendant, Banushi, didn’t stay on the scene,” said District Attorney Megan Machak, the prosecutor who handled the case for the 9th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Under the Colorado Ski Safety Act, leaving the scene of a collision without exchanging identifying information is illegal.
Banushi was tracked down using social media posts and photographic evidence.
It once again raises the issue of people on the slopes who are out of control.
PlanetSKI reporter Clare Meaney who was hit from behind in Val d’Isere. Image © PlanetSKI/Clare Meaney
After the case Anne Cassidy said she was, “overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude for my community, including my family, friends and lawyer who supported me all along, the jurors and the judge who listened to all the evidence with grace and diligence, and the articulate, thoughtful witnesses who shared their expertise and truth.”
Aspen, Colorado. Image © PlanetSKI
Related Articles:
- Skier who killed British child in collision found guilty of manslaughter
- Demand grows for out of control skiers and snowboarders to be held accountable
- Rise in injuries on the piste
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