ASPEN, Colo. — A Pitkin County jury has convicted a snowboarder who fled the scene after striking and severely injuring a local skier on Aspen Mountain, sentencing him to 45 days in jail in a rare criminal prosecution for an on-mountain collision.
Eric “Riku” Banushi was convicted Aug. 28 of third-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and violating the Colorado Ski Safety Act. The charges stem from a February 2024 incident in which Banushi struck Aspen resident Anne Cassidy from behind near the Gent’s Ridge lift, leaving her with multiple severe knee and body injuries before fleeing down the mountain without providing identification or aid.
Authorities identified Banushi through a combination of bystander photos, resort surveillance footage, Aspen Skiing Co.’s RFID pass data, and matching posts on his personal social media accounts.
While resort crashes are typically civil matters, law enforcement and prosecutors pursued criminal charges due to Banushi’s reckless behavior and failure to stop, a direct violation of state law.
Banushi rejected a plea agreement before proceeding to trial, where he was found guilty on all charges.
