What started as an ordinary afternoon in the quiet town of Calhan, Colorado, ended in a scene so violent and surreal that neighbors are still struggling to process it.
A 79-year-old grandfather mowing his lawn on a riding mower was struck and killed when a speeding Subaru allegedly driven by a woman under the influence went airborne and crashed into him — all while his wife watched from inside their home, police say.
Robert “Bob” Selle was thrown from his mower and died on his own front lawn, just moments after speaking with his wife.
A Quiet Day Turns Deadly
The crash happened on Aug. 24, 2025, in Calhan, a small rural community roughly 80 miles southeast of Denver.
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, Selle’s wife was watching him through the front window as he cut the grass. She reportedly saw a silver vehicle traveling at what appeared to be a high rate of speed before it suddenly became airborne.
“She observed a silver car, that appeared to be going too fast, become airborne, [and] hit her husband, sending him flying off the lawn mower,” the affidavit states.
Authorities say the driver, identified as 37-year-old Amy Dalton, lost control of her 2016 Subaru Outback. Security footage from a neighbor’s camera allegedly captured the vehicle veering off the roadway.
Vehicle “Became Airborne,” Police Say
Investigators say the Subaru drifted off the right side of the road for “no obvious reason” before launching over a driveway.
“Dalton’s Subaru became airborne over the driveway,” the affidavit alleges. “As the Subaru landed, it collided with a barbed wire fence and then traveled into the yard/field … where it collided with Robert Selle, who was operating a riding lawn mower.”
The footage reportedly shows the vehicle overturning before striking Selle. The Subaru then continued flipping and ultimately came to rest on its roof in the field.
Selle was knocked from the mower and landed near the overturned vehicle.
Final Moments on the Lawn
Police say Selle was initially conscious after the crash.
He was reportedly “responsive and talking with his wife, who witnessed the crash,” before losing consciousness. Despite emergency response efforts, he died at the scene.
The image of a wife rushing outside to her injured husband — just yards from their home — has shaken the tight-knit community.
Driver Allegedly Admitted Drug Use
Investigators say Dalton showed signs of impairment at the scene.
According to the affidavit, officers detected “a strong odor of marijuana” coming from her. She allegedly admitted to consuming marijuana daily and taking multiple medications. Police also claim she told them she had recently tried methamphetamine “for the first time.”
Troopers noted that Dalton appeared “mellow” and was “not very responsive” to EMS personnel. One officer observed that her eyelids “seemed very heavy.”
Authorities later analyzed data from the vehicle’s airbag control module (ACM). The data allegedly indicated that Dalton did not apply the brakes or attempt any evasive steering in the seconds leading up to the crash.
Dalton reportedly blamed the incident on “two bad tires” and claimed the steering began to feel “weird” and “funny.” However, police say she could not clearly explain what happened.
She agreed to a voluntary drug test, which allegedly revealed at least two substances in her system that investigators believe contributed to the crash.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Dalton has been arrested and charged with:
- Vehicular homicide
- Driving under the influence
- Reckless driving
- Operating a vehicle without insurance
She is currently out on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on March 17.
Under Colorado law, vehicular homicide involving DUI is a serious felony offense that can carry significant prison time if convicted.
Remembering “Grandpa Bob”
In the days following his death, tributes poured in for Robert Selle.
His obituary describes him as a “pillar” in every community he was part of — a loving husband, grandfather of five, teacher, and leader. Friends and family used words like “hero,” “role model,” and “respect personified.”
But among all the titles, one stood out.
“Of all these descriptors, his favorite one was ‘Grandpa Bob,’” the obituary reads.
For a family that witnessed the tragedy unfold in real time, that name now carries a weight far heavier than before.
Community Shock in a Rural Town
Calhan is not the kind of place where violent crashes dominate headlines. It’s a small, largely agricultural town where neighbors know one another and life moves at a slower pace.
The idea that a vehicle could leave the road, fly over a driveway, and strike a man mowing his lawn has left residents stunned.
As the case moves through the courts, questions remain about impairment, responsibility, and how a routine afternoon could turn into a fatal catastrophe in seconds.
For now, a grieving family prepares for a preliminary hearing — and a long legal process ahead.
