Photos: Kirsten Steinke and Kallan Stithem before tragic New Zealand honeymoon crash

Photos shared on the Facebook pages of CU Foundation staffer Kirsten Steinke and new husband Kallan Stithem depict a fun couple -- a pair who loved good times and going to exotic places like New Zealand, where they traveled for their honeymoon. Let's hope these images of them delighting in...

By Michael Roberts

September 26, 2012

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Photos shared on the Facebook pages of CU Foundation staffer Kirsten Steinke and new husband Kallan Stithem depict a fun couple -- a pair who loved good times and going to exotic places like New Zealand, where they traveled for their honeymoon. Let's hope these images of them delighting in each other's company provide small comfort for family and loved ones in the wake of a car crash there that killed Stithem and seriously injured his bride.

According to the Boulder Daily Camera, the two were visiting New Zealand's renowned Waitomo Caves earlier this month when their vehicle was struck by a cement truck. Stithem, a CSU graduate, died at the scene, while Steinke was rushed to a nearby hospital for intensive care treatment so serious that her parents immediately flew to the country to provide support during this terrible time.

The Camera notes that the highway intersection where the accident took place has been the scene of tragedies before -- five crashes, two of them fatal, since 2009.

Here are photos of Steinke and Stithem from the past few years, during infinitely happier times.

Continue to see more photos of Kirsten Steinke and Kallan Stithem.

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, Westword has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo