Motorcyclist identified in fatal crash closing Highway 115 in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Police have identified the motorcyclist who passed away Thursday after a crash closing the northbound lanes of Highway 115 in Colorado Springs.

Officers say 26-year-old Austin Smith of Colorado Springs was the motorcyclist who died Thursday after a traffic incident at the intersection of Hwy 115 and Gold Pass Heights.

Around 3 p.m., police say Smith was traveling northbound on Hwy 115 when a Ford Flex tried to to turn left from southbound Hwy 115 onto eastbound Gold Pass Heights. The motorcycle crashed into the Ford Flex, causing Smith to be thrown off.

Smith died from his injuries at the scene. The driver and passenger of the other vehicle was not injured in the accident.

Impairment is not suspected but excessive speed is believed to be a factor in this crash, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department. Police have not filed any charges at this time and the investigation is ongoing.

Smith is the 38th traffic fatality in Colorado Springs this year.