Elderly Pueblo Man Dies Half-Block From Home

As of Friday afternoon, Pueblo police still had not revealed the cause of a two-vehicle crash Thursday that claimed the life of John Montoya, 85.

Montoya’s grandson, Derric McManus, 23, lived with him and shared memories of his grandfather outside their home on Beech Street. The home is just a half-block from the crash scene where Beech Street intersects with Joplin Avenue.

“He was very independent and worked many jobs to take care of his family,” said McManus. “He was strong.”

McManus said Montoya had a daily routine of leaving the house at lunchtime to get lunch at a Wendy’s restaurant, then returning home to eat the meal.

“Maybe I should have driven him to Wendy’s,” said McManus. “But I didn’t get up in time.”

McManus said Montoya grew up in the neighborhood, and leaves a wife and four children.