UPDATE 02/16/2023

The Send Town Bike Club announced today that the victim in Monday’s bike crash at the intersection of Harmony Rd and McMurry Ave was Jim DeFazio. Jim is the father of SendTown Board Member and Program Coordinator, Adrian DeFazio. Jim was 76 years old.

Via Send Town

It is with a heavy heart that we write to you to acknowledge the passing of Jim DeFazio. Jim was struck and killed by an automobile on Monday while riding his bicycle at the intersection of Harmony Rd and McMurry Ave. Jim is the father of SendTown Board Member and Program Coordinator, Adrian DeFazio, so this tragedy hits very close to home for us and wanted you to hear this sad news from us first. Rest assured, we are rallying around Adrian, his mom, and his entire family. We are holding them close to our hearts and offering all the support we can during this difficult time. If you would like to offer your support, the DeFazio family has requested a donation be made to St. Judes Children’s Hospital which was one of Jim’s passions.

Memorial services have not yet been announced, but we will publish any details as they become available. In the wake of this tragedy, SendTown is encouraging everyone to take a moment to remind your family that automobiles always win when they encounter a cyclist in an unfortunate collision no matter who is at fault. Please stay safe and we’ll all ride together again soon.

Original Post

Fort Collins Police Services announced the death of a second cyclist in as many days here in Fort Collins. Today’s collision took place at the intersection of Harmony Road and McMurry Ave at approximately 11:39 am Monday, February 13th.  This is near the proposed location of a grade-separated crossing (tunnel or bridge) intended to join the Power Line Trail safely.

Yesterday’s crash took place at Lemay Ave and Centennial Rd. Neither victim has been identified as of Monday evening.

Our thoughts are again with everyone affected by the recent tragedies.

The full press release is below.

Via Fort Collins Police Services

Police Investigate Fatal Bicycle Crash
On February 13, 2023 at approximately 11:39 a.m., Poudre Fire Authority Firefighters were responding to a call for service when they located an injury crash between a silver 2014 Toyota Sienna and a bicyclist at the intersection of East Harmony Road and McMurry Avenue. Firefighters began to render aid to the cyclist who was an adult male and had serious injuries as a result of the collision.
The Toyota Sienna stayed at the scene. Due to the severity of the cyclist’s injuries, the Fort Collins Police CRASH (Collision Reconstruction and Scene Handling) Team responded to take over the investigation. In order to safely process the scene, eastbound Harmony Road was shut down at Lemay Avenue to McMurry Avenue. To this point, the investigation has revealed that the Toyota Sienna was stopped for a red light at this intersection. When the light turned green it began to go when the bicycle collided with it. The cyclist was traveling southbound on McMurry Avenue, crossing Harmony Road. Multiple witnesses confirmed that the Toyota Sienna had the green light and right of way.
Harmony Road was shut down for approximately three hours and twenty minutes while investigators processed the scene. Later in the afternoon, officers were made aware that the cyclist succumbed to his injuries.
“Unfortunately, this is our second fatal crash in as many days, involving a bicyclist. We recognize how hard these events can be for the friends and families of those involved and encourage everyone to follow the rules of the road to ensure everyone’s safety,” said Sergeant Mike Avrech who oversees the Fort Collins Police CRASH Team.
Anyone with information who has not already spoken to police is asked to call Officer Brandon Barnes at (970) 221-6842. The Larimer County Coroner will release the cause and manner of death, along the identity of the decedent at a later time. No further information will be released at this time.

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