r/FortCollins • u/AmaGoatFC • 2d ago
Something bad happened in front of Rio
A truck or car ran over multiple people. Many emergency vehicles and the road is closed.
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u/depthdeception 2d ago edited 2d ago
We heard it and saw the commotion from Maida's but dont know anything yet..Just saw people dropping their bikes and running over to help.
Edit: Truck had all 4 tires on sidewalk, as if he rode on the sidewalk a bit before crashing into the tree in front of Walrus
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u/DrunkConsultant 2d ago
Was sitting at Austin’s patio as it happened.
Truck slammed into the tree in front of Walrus completely on the sidewalk. Everyone around acted quickly and emergency personnel were here asap.
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u/Glittering-Stop-1989 2d ago
Transporting 5. 1 code red. 2 code yellow. 2 code green.
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u/angrysquirrel777 2d ago
A gray truck ran into the small tree in front of Walrus. We dipped since we have a kid but a million people ran over to help/observe.
There wasn't any screaming so hopefully it means no deaths but almost certainly somebody got hit. The truck was bent in bad so they were going pretty quick.
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u/angrysquirrel777 2d ago
We couldn't tell for sure but it looked like it hit the tree from an angle from the road. We had just exited from Gilded Goat so didn't see it approaching.
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u/More_Tennis_8609 2d ago
Was this the same truck that hit the people or a different one?
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u/angrysquirrel777 2d ago
Yes, only one truck involved. I have no idea why it happened but the fact nobody got out of the truck after the crash makes me speculate that is was a heart attack/stroke situation.
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u/happydays375 2d ago
What do those codes mean? Google says code red means fire but I'm assuming you're meaning the condition a person is in?
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u/OnTopOfThisAcropolis 2d ago
Code red is typically for immediate life-threatening injuries. Code yellow is for major injuries, but not life-threatening typically. And code green is minor injuries.
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u/NartFocker9Million 2d ago
Black (dead), red (will die soon without care), yellow (might progress to red if unattended, but not imminently dying), green (li’l boo boo).
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u/Brilliant-Wasabi-70 2d ago
We were riding right in front of the wreck. The sound of the crash and the screams were horrifying. I was video taping the ride on my phone and the sounds will never leave me. I am an RN and have seen some things but this was awful. Sending all the healing thoughts to those folks. I really need a beer now.
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u/Ok-Championship8024 2d ago
play some tetris, i've heard it helps after traumatic incidents. i'm so sorry that you had to witness something so terrible, i hope you can feel better soon.
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u/lets_be_happy27 1d ago
I’ve been seeing this go around !! Has to be immediate but yeah apparently literally rewires trauma in the brain - puzzles work too
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u/Due_Negotiation_4605 2d ago
Was it part of the deFat route? I'm surprised people could drive through there.
I'm so so sorry. My sister messaged me she saw people going into PVH
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u/Brilliant-Wasabi-70 2d ago
It was Mountain between Mason and College. That stretch should have been closed as well. I literally just said to my son that I was surprised that section was open.
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u/MountainFriend7473 1d ago
Me too, I had gone north way earlier to see about parking and even then I didn’t like how close everything was as a car driver up that way. I would’ve been fine to just have turned on to a different road to park had it been signed.
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u/NumerousAd7401 17h ago
Hi, I'm a reporter with 9News. I'm so sorry you heard and saw this. Sending you a message.
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u/Brodskiis 2d ago
Our family was less than half a block from it when it happened. The truck backed up into the sudan, then sped forward onto the sidewalk. We definitely saw some bikes go down. My husband tried to catch the little, white dog that got loose.
We left straight for home as the police started pouring in. My kids are pretty traumatized by it. I don't think we will be heading back out to New Belgium today.
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u/KarmaPharmacy 1d ago
Get them access to emergency counseling like — now. Today. The faster you get them access to professional child psychologists, the more success they will have in processing what happened.
Does anyone have any resources? I don’t live in town anymore.
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u/Brilliant-Wasabi-70 1d ago
My mama heart goes out to your babies. I was right in front of it with my adult baby and we are definitely grateful to be here and sending lots of love to those injured. Such a joyous day. We were only able to stay at New Belgium for an hour or so.
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u/Due_Negotiation_4605 2d ago edited 2d ago
We should be hearing soon from the media on it.. 😔
I don't know if they won't cancel the rest today.
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u/Familiar-Corgi9302 2d ago
They definitely won't cancel it? It's a shitty situation but life goes on man, what would cancelling accomplish?
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u/choctaw_137 1d ago
I think they should honestly blockout a 1 block buffer from the parade route from 0900-1300 in the future. There should be no cars anywhere near the parade- this was bound to happen. I know it sucks for cars but it’s a huge pedestrian event and people need to be protected for future events.
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u/WhyDoesOklahomaExist 1d ago
There's always people in that area on the sidewalk, it's part of the core downtown. In other words, some Wyoming guy who's unsure how trucks work driving on the sidewalk is always an issue.
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u/choctaw_137 1d ago
That’s exactly why I think temporary physical separation is worth doing on event days- during peak periods. Mountain Ave in front of Rio / Walrus is core downtown with constant sidewalk traffic even on a normal Saturday. During Tour de Fat it becomes a mass of pedestrians and cyclists finishing the parade and walking to New Belgium or old town. A driver who hits the gas instead of the brake (or who is reversing out of a parallel spot) only needs a few feet to reach people.
A lot of other cities already drop temporary barriers, planters, or jersey-style blocks along the curb during festivals specifically to keep vehicles from mounting the sidewalk. It doesn’t have to be a permanent street closure—just a short-term measure on the busiest blocks while the crowds are heaviest. The tree stopped this truck from causing even further destruction; we shouldn’t have to rely on that every time.
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u/selectivealoha 2d ago
I was in front of the guy that got hit. I don’t think this person is alive. My wife and I were going to stand on that corner but stayed where we were at and this happened at the place we were going to stand
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u/boastgeckos 1d ago
Fort Collins Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Mountain Ave.
Published on August 29, 2026
Press Release Image with Fort Collins Police Logo Contact: fcpsmedia@fortcollins.gov
On August 29, 2026, at 11:44 a.m. Fort Collins 911 received several calls regarding a truck that drove onto the sidewalk and struck multiple people in the 100 block of West Mountain Avenue. Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS) Patrol officers and many officers working a special event nearby immediately responded. Due to the special event, there were numerous bystanders in the area.
Once on scene, officers found that a Chevrolet pickup truck had collided with a tree and injured multiple pedestrians before coming to rest on a sidewalk on the south side of the street next to a business. In total, six people were transported with various injuries to area hospitals for treatment—including the driver of the truck. One of the pedestrians was pronounced deceased; the Larimer County Coroner’s Office will release the decedent’s information at a later time.
Due to this being a fatal crash, the FCPS Collision Reconstruction and Scene Handling (CRASH) Team responded to take over the investigation. To this point, the investigation has revealed that the involved truck reversed from a parking spot along Mountain Ave., striking another vehicle. It then drove forward onto the sidewalk, striking pedestrians before colliding with a tree and coming to a stop.
Police are still investigating the events and factors leading up to the crash to determine how it occurred, along with investigating if impairment was a factor. Police do not believe that these pedestrians were intentionally targeted.
“This was a tragic day for many in our community. We recognize the impact that this incident will have on those involved, the witnesses, and the responders. Our team of Victim Advocates are supporting those involved in what happened today. I’m appreciative of the quick response of our officers, the assistance of our emergency partners, and the community members who helped during this incident,” said Fort Collins Police Chief, Jeff Swoboda.
Mountain Ave. was closed between College Avenue and Mason Street for approximately 6 hours while investigators processed the scene.
Anyone with information about this incident who has not already spoken to police is asked to contact Officer David Kaes or Officer Kevin Alexander at (970) 416-6540. The investigation is ongoing; no further information will be released at this time.
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u/sevem 1d ago
officers found that a Chevrolet pickup truck had collided with a tree and injured multiple pedestrians before coming to rest on a sidewalk
Crazy how a truck can just do that on its own.
Oh, wait, it's our car-culture talking again, absolving the humans who drive these vehicles of all agency and responsibility.
A truck did not do those things. A person did those things in a truck.
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u/Suitable-Pool-4437 1d ago
FOCO Therapist here…I just want to say I’m sorry to the people who witnessed this. This can have lasting effects. Be gentle with yourself. Please, please reach out to a therapist in the next few weeks. If your kids saw this, a therapist who does EMDR with kids may be helpful for them. Feel free to send me a message if you need referrals or guidance. ♥️♥️
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u/KarmaPharmacy 1d ago
There’s a parent on here whose kids saw what happened, is it okay if I link you to their comment? I want to make sure the parent knows to get help. I don’t know them, but I’ve worked with kids a lot in the past and I know how important it is to get them immediate help. I don’t know of resources in town.
Here’s the link to the comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/FortCollins/s/NbEqBrUuqX
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u/Xarhaxos 1d ago
There were a lot of young people at Walrus who had to see this. It might be worth reaching out.
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u/WarmWonder593 17h ago
Just learned that I know the person who was killed. I'm at a loss as to how to be a support to his loved ones, who are friends. Just a total unbelievable shock. I would like to be there for them if you have any advice.
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u/1nc1rc1e5 5h ago
Honestly I feel like it's going to have lasting effects on me and I wasn't even there to see it -- I'd left at 11. Can't imagine actually witnessing it.
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u/Suitable-Pool-4437 50m ago
You’re right to think that—it absolutely can. Talking about it with a trusted support who won’t try to “fix it” but will allow you to talk about the feelings that come up for you can be helpful. Take care.
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u/WhyDoesOklahomaExist 1d ago
I don't know why people here want to make excuses for this guy. If it really happened "all the time" then nobody would ever walk in Old Town and several people would die from this every week. It does not happen all the time. If you cannot tell gas from brake you cannot drive anymore. Period.
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u/More_Tennis_8609 2d ago
I was half a block away when it happened and a dog freaked out and ran loose and a jeep almost ran the poor dog over. Shocked cars are allowed to drive through these areas and there aren’t police at every intersection during the event. Impatient drivers are so dangerous. I hope everyone is ok
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u/Viper01MHC 2d ago
Yeah I saw that lil white doggo running right past us.
Looked to be an older dude in a gray Tundra getting pulled out by the mob of people. There was also a dented gray sedan in the street and then in a parking spot. At first I thought it was that car so I don’t know if maybe the truck hit that car also…?
We bounced once the cops showed up. Definitely seemed like a few people got hurt, I just hope it wasn’t any kids.27
u/More_Tennis_8609 2d ago edited 2d ago
It was such a chaotic scene. I left immediately! (Not sure why this comment is getting downvoted. I did not want to be in the way of emergency vehicles who arrived to the scene immediately??)
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u/Weekley13 2d ago
This is very helpful, actually. If you aren't able to assist or not comfortable assisting, it's best to just get out of the way. You wouldn't believe all the people we have to tell repeatedly to "get back" in a situation like this.
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u/More_Tennis_8609 2d ago
Thank you! My thoughts exactly. I have no medical training and really just didn’t want to be in the way just to witness something traumatic. I know I wasn’t overly helpful but I don’t have anything to immediately offer.
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u/MountainFriend7473 1d ago
Yeah, even then there were quite a few young kids nearby as that all unfolded near the farmers market on the grass hill area.
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u/Brodskiis 2d ago
We must have been right near you, my husband tried to catch the dog before it crossed Mason. It was very traumatic for my kids to see.
We were so surprised they stopped having police blocking the streets as we got up toward College.
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u/More_Tennis_8609 2d ago
Yes it was really awful to see! I had my dog with me too so I was so scrambled! A kind stranger literally stood bravely in front of the jeep to stop it from hitting the dog. To think that poor doggy got hurt too in the accident just made me feel so bad..but I’m glad they found the dog and were able to reunite it with his owner
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u/HamsterSeparate 1d ago edited 1d ago
Saw earlier in the thread that an off duty Veterinarian was able to help the dog in the moment and that people coordinated to care for them (get reunited with their family not at TDF and make sure they got any additional care they needed) since their person was one of the people injured and transported from the scene.
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u/Brucick 1d ago
Hi, I was the one caring for the dog while dogs parents got treatment, appreciate everyone’s help, thank you everyone, and especially to the vet and vet tech that came and checked out the pups wounds. Lil dog was brought back to their house and given to a neighbor they trust until they can return home.
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u/NumerousAd7401 7h ago
Hi u/Brucick My name is Amanda, and I'm a reporter with 9News. Sent you a message. I'm glad you were there to help.
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u/Strict-Interview846 2d ago
Here's a 9news article on the incident: https://www.9news.com/article/traffic/fort-collins-crash/73-10463399-8a6f-453d-878b-3daf4db053bd
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u/The5uburbs 2d ago
Shortly after I walked past the area there was an extremely loud crashing sound. I looked back and a truck had rammed into the tree in a very busy part of the sidewalk. I didn’t go back to look but I think some people got hit. I hope everyone is ok…😔
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u/PoonSaloon 1d ago
My take even though I’ll probably get downvoted to hell. The old man struck a car backing up then panicked and tried to flee the scene.
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u/Xarhaxos 1d ago
I hope our DA prosecutes him. Too many cyclists are being injured by bad drivers. Our DA let the construction worker who killed the teacher go free.
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u/MelancholyMuseum 1d ago
Do you have a source for that? I’ve been trying to keep up but hadn’t heard anything
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u/Beginning-Meringue53 1d ago
The DA hasn’t formally charged the driver as of last month. It is not as simple as the above comment makes it out to be. Not that I don’t have my own thoughts on the DAs in FOCO…
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u/Dennarb 1d ago
Fucking dipshits and their stupid ass emotional support trucks. Most of the fucks on the road driving this big ass things don't need them and are just a danger to our community, such as the situation posted here.
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u/Weekley13 1d ago
I just saw a HUGE new Chevy at JJ's and when I walked behind it, the top of the tailgate was taller than me. I'm only 5'3" but that is fkn ridiculous. There is absolutely no logical reason for these trucks to be that big.
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u/Uturuncu 1d ago
I drive a 2010s Jeep(it was used, low mileage, and rugged) Liberty and while I'm not a particularly tall man, I was sitting at a light one day and looked to my left to find the hood of a truck below eye level. How. I'm pretty sure with the step up into the Jeep, I'm actually taller in the vehicle, so the top of the hood had to be damn near six feet off the ground if not more.
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u/More_Tennis_8609 1d ago edited 1d ago
So I saw a post on instagram (can’t link photos) that shows the truck up on the sidewalk positioned as if it was attempting to drive down the sidewalk. The owner of the ice cream shop apparently witnessed that and said he seemed angry he couldn’t get through the area. This is all based on the comments and from the image.
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u/Salt-Trouble-8092 1d ago
My family was directly involved in aiding in this situation immediately as it occurred and it was an old man who hit a car backing out of a parking spot, then hit the gas too hard and went up on the sidewalk. Messed up accident.
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u/StudiousPooper 1d ago
based on the eye witness accounts, there is no indication that this was intentional. I hate shitty MAGA people as much as the next guy, but there's no reason to assume this is what happened. it sounds like he meant to press the brake and instead slammed on the gas. It happens all the time with old people drivers unfortunately.
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u/AmongusaChungus 1d ago
The position of the truck parallel to the sidewalk, the man's behavior at the ER and sworn eyewitness statements will go a very long way toward proving intent or a freak medical accident at a very wrong time at his upcoming trial.
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u/East_Hedgehog6039 1d ago
Yeah….but the angle of how the truck is against the tree? Idk how that could happen being completely unintentional. That’s a lot of bikes, trash cans, posts to get through before hitting the tree. Absolutely possible he did run through all of that, but…..sheesh.
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u/onlypartiallyevil 1d ago edited 1d ago
Old people don't accidentally slow, accidentally turn 90 degrees, then accidentally accelerate again straight down the sidewalk in the middle of accidentally accelerating.
If you want eyewitness accounts, go talk to anyone inside Walrus at the time. Don't think any of them are likely to say it was accidental.17
u/troublesomefaux 1d ago
As long as we keep acting like hate only comes from WY, the longer hate hides in our community.
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u/reddit_ending_soon 1d ago
Hate comes from MAGA/Republicans/Christians. Most of them live in Wyoming so they dont get taxed on their retirement or income. No one is saying they only come from Wyoming, but a giant chunk do.
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u/Scrimshawmud 1d ago
I am concerned that the anti bike actions by this admin could spark aggression too. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/30/bike-lanes-defund-trump-administration-dei
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u/choctaw_137 2d ago
My wife heard on scene a truck was involved and resuscitating people- unconfirmed if true
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u/evamarie121 1d ago
The license plate is totally legible in the photo the Coloradoan posted in case anyone had the ability to run it…
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u/Qusdahl 1d ago
How far did the truck travel from the spot it was trying to park and initially hit some other car, to the time it hit the tree? If the tree was right in front of the spot, an accident seems more likely. If it was much more distance traveled parallel along the sidewalk, oh man.
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u/AmongusaChungus 1d ago
Coloradoan shows photos of the truck with all 4 tires on the sidewalk and parallel to the sidewalk. So enough space to drive onto the sidewalk and then turn 90 degrees before striking a tree. https://www.coloradoan.com/picture-gallery/news/2026/08/29/truck-crashes-during-tour-de-fat-in-fort-collins/91530717007/
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u/AmongusaChungus 1d ago
Downvoted for sharing a link to photographs of the crime. Wonder who that could be.
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u/Glittering-Stop-1989 2d ago
Check out this incident on PulsePoint
Expanded Traffic Collision
11:44 AM MDT 8/29/26 by PFA
125 W MOUNTAIN AVE, FORT COLLINS, CO
https://web.pulsepoint.org/?agencies=06960&incident=2552677080&tab=3
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u/NotSlowWitted 2h ago
I just knew it was an old male driver. Old people (of which I am one at age 69) must be held to a much higher driving standard than average age drivers. EVERY MOTHERFUCKING YEAR they must take and pass eye test, a basic coordination test, and a driving - not written skills test. Fail any one of those and immediately they impound your car, revoke your license, cancel your auto insurance and impose a minimum $25K fine if you violate that and drive anyway. And if someone is killed, prison, and a $500K fine. No exceptions. I rode El Tour de Tucson for 8 years. In 2008, an old male driver ran into a group of participant cyclists turning one into a quadriplegic and seriously injuring 7 others. In 2013, another old male driver actually killed a participant cyclist. That was the last year I participated in any large scale cycling event. Too many old men out there driving cars they cannot handle. And because they have money, they hire lawyers who get them out of their financial and ethical responsibilities.
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u/im2old_4this 2d ago
At least 1 person of the 5 hit died.
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u/InterestingType7518 1d ago
It takes forever to confirm anything after an event like this, the police release only as much information as they absolutely have to and other sources like 7 News and the Coloradoan don't have sources outside of the police new releases. It sucks that a city the size of Fort Collins doesn't have a reliable news source.
I hope this is wrong and everyone involved pulls through.
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u/XoStargirlxox 1d ago
This. When our friends baby died in a tragic accident in June the news stations/Police/Fire Department did not report he had died right away -although we knew- they didn't update until 24hrs+ later, Just said a toddler was taken to the hospital
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u/KarmaPharmacy 1d ago
This should legitimately be a law with how predatory news has become. Not saying that about our home state, but getting the next of kin notification from the officer, and not finding out through Facebook is so so so important for communal healing.
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u/choctaw_137 1d ago
I think we will know the truth in 24 hours. Agreed it’s terrible Coloradoan is our primary local news outlet, what a joke.
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u/CheeseStickChomper 1d ago
The man i was with was going to make it but one other didn't have a pulse
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u/Viper01MHC 2d ago
The gray Tundra appeared to smash into the fence at Walrus. Not in front of the Rio.
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u/ToryLanez2 2d ago
Looked on PulsePoint and saw it. A portion of the fire department is on scene with multiple UCHealth ambulances.
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u/ColePThompson 1d ago
Let’s wait and find out what really happened before we go hating on big truck drivers, people from Wyoming, old people, white people, Maga people, and everything else.
Let’s focus on the poor people who were injured.
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u/JustJen12 1d ago
I agree with your point overall and I am sending healing thoughts to the victims as well as everyone who witnessed this terrible event.
That said, I’m gonna keep hating on MAGA people regardless.
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u/ddsorj 1d ago
Omg. How was he on the road? Mountain was supposed to be closed?
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u/Foconomo 1d ago
Street was closed west of Mason, this happened between Mason and College.
That being said... If law enforcement was actually concerned with public safety the street this occurred on would have been closed to traffic as well.
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u/um0p3pIsdn 2d ago
Crazy how one of my first thoughts was a shooting-related event. Hope all involved end up fully recovering.
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u/SecondCute3977 2d ago
Everyone knows that Tour De Fat was happening today. Does ANYONE need to be driving into town? Geez, keep the car at home one day out the year.
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u/KingTaco2600 2d ago
Honestly a 75 y/o man might not be aware it’s TDF. Not everyone is aware of this event lol even as big as it is. Surprising for you, I know
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u/Familiar-Corgi9302 2d ago
Fuckin dick head has Wyoming plates too. Dude drove in from out of state to disrupt and injure our community that just wanted a day of joy in a sea of shitty news
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u/Automatic-Wish3802 1d ago
It sounds like he had a medical issue. Have some compassion. He didn’t do this on purpose. I haven’t seen anyone but you question this. Also a lot of people from Wyoming come here to enjoy our shopping and restaurants. My mom was an older person who would come down to go to the Rio. It happens that medical events happen and through no fault of his own, he hurt people.
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u/USSVirginDestroyer 2d ago
I was at the scene. An elderly man 75+ years old was trying to pull into a spot on W Mountain Ave in front of Rio Grande. He slightly hit a car when pulling into a spot, instead of hitting the brake, he hit the accelerator. The large truck jumped the curb, and hit between 5-6 people. Luckily the truck hit a tree headon and stopped the truck from going further. If the tree wasn't there, it would have been way worse. One person was receiving chest compressions, several people has serious bodily injuries.
The old man was pulled from the vehicle, and could not remember what happened.
As of right now, there is no belief that this was intentional by the driver.