Traffic tragedy in Colorado Springs: Another fatal motorcycle crash; what’s next at dangerous intersections?
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Another fatal motorcycle crash struck the same dangerous intersection in northeast Colorado Springs.
On August 12, at approximately 3:42 p.m., a rider collided with a vehicle at North Union Boulevard and Garmish Road, dying at the scene. Colorado Springs Police Department’s Major Crash Team is investigating.
This follows a previous fatal collision just two days earlier, around 6:00 p.m. on August 10, at the same junction. The first crash involved a motorcycle striking an SUV, and emergency crews were unable to save the rider.
Colorado Springs Police say both investigations are ongoing, but early findings point to a common factor.
"Right now, where we're at in both of those investigations, it appears that speed is a contributing factor on the part of the motorcyclists and the cause of those crashes," said Caitlyn Ford, Public Communication Specialist for CSPD.
So far in 2025, the city has recorded 36 traffic fatalities. Eighteen of those have been motorcyclists, making up half of the total.
Neighbors Vera and George Ziegler live just steps from the intersection and say the problem is constant.
“98% of the time, they’re on a motorcycle," Vera told KRDO.
"You could see out our street is decorated out there with crosses and things and it's just sad... we know of three deaths that has occurred at this intersection," George added.
The couple says they now avoid crossing Union at Garmish entirely.
"We only make a right turn, and we go around to Vickers at the light... It's safer for us to go around to Vickers," George said.
Todd Frisbie, City Traffic Engineer, tells KRDO13 that Public Works and City Traffic Engineering will conduct a full safety analysis between Dublin and Vickers. That review will include crash history and possible changes at Union and Garmish "to reduce the likelihood of future crashes."
Ford says enforcement can only go so far in stopping dangerous driving. CSPD is asking both drivers and riders to slow down, take extra time before turning, and remain patient on the roads, stressing that even a small reduction in speed can mean the difference between a close call and a deadly crash.
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