Motorcyclist identified in deadly March crash near UCCS campus

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) has identified a motorcyclist who died in a crash on March 1, 2024.

CSPD says that just before 6 p.m. they were called to a crash involving an SUV and a motorcycle at the intersection of Austin Bluffs Parkway and Meadow Lane. Emergency personnel arrived on the scene and determined the motorcycle rider was deceased.

According to CSPD, the investigation revealed the driver of an SUV was traveling east on Austin Bluffs Parkway attempting to make a left turn onto Meadow Lane. The motorcycle was traveling west on Austin Bluffs Parkway and collided with the SUV. CSPD says that the motorcycle rider failed to stop for a red light and struck the SUV.

The  El Paso County Coroner’s Office has identified the motorcyclist as 23-year-old Joseph Heath.

This is the 12th traffic fatality in Colorado Springs this year. At this same time last year, there were 11 traffic fatalities. In the past 365 days, there have been 51 traffic fatalities in Colorado Springs.