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Fatal Collision on Hwy. 50, Orchard Mesa

by KREX News Room
by Cori Coffin

Story Created: Feb 2, 2013 at 2:39 PM MDT

Story Updated: Feb 3, 2013 at 2:05 AM MDT

MESA COUNTY, Colo. - An accident between a GMC SUV and a Honda motorcycle left one man dead Saturday morning.

The incident happened about 10 a.m. on Highway 50, mile post 35, near an entrance to the Orchard Mesa City Market at 27 3/4 Road.

Colorado State Patrol officials say a 49-year-old male from Grand Junction, driving a motorcycle southbound on 27 3/4 Road, attempted to cross Highway 50 in front of a Yukon headed west on the highway.

The motorcycle driver pulled out in front of the Yukon, being driven by Sharon Fladeland of Delta, and collided with the SUV.

The man was ejected from the motorcycle and despite wearing a helmet, died on scene as a result of his injuries. Fladeland was not injured.

Alcohol, drugs and speed are not considered factors in the accident.

All westbound lanes of the highway were closed for several hours during investigation and cleanup.

Identification of the man is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

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Sad said on Saturday, Feb 2 at 3:59 PM

It's a shame. Colorado is beautiful and it's really tempting to be riding a bike, but there are so many people driving with their heads up and locked that it's way to scary for me.

Anonymous said on Saturday, Feb 2 at 7:20 PM

Prolly someone driving their huge 7000 lb SUV texting while driving...No???

Anonymous said on Saturday, Feb 2 at 8:59 PM

The Coroner hasn't "formally confirmed" this yet! So why are you reporting it?

Anonymous said on Saturday, Feb 2 at 9:21 PM

Don't speak if you don't know.

Prayers for all victims said on Saturday, Feb 2 at 11:16 PM

The person driving the SUV had not been drinking or texting and was having a normal Saturday driving along when the motorcycle came out of no where into the path of the SUV. It's a shame that so many have no respect and jump to conclusions. I'm so sorry for both victims involved. My prayers go out to them both and the families of the motorcyclist.

Jake said on Sunday, Feb 3 at 12:04 AM

You are exactly right. Only the young female driver, her older male passenger(possibly her father)and the gentleman biker who can't speak now, know exactly what preceeded that impact.I was there, approximately 70 ft away when they collided and was the 2nd person on scene to attend to the cyclist. What was unusual was the long conversation the young driver had with the older gentlman passenger before returning to the scene by foot. The police would do well to check her phone around and prior to the impact at 9:46am to clear up that question. Unfortunately, it took approx (over) 10 min of precious time before first police and then professioal medical responders arrived.Whether he would have survived had they gotten there quicker is anyones guess but I would like to praise the gentleman who knew a lot more than I did medically and jumped right in to help this unfortunate individual. A lot of people did try to help on the sidelines.As for me I will be taking a CPR course very soon.

nanatammie said on Sunday, Feb 3 at 10:59 AM

The victim was my next door neighbor. He was a good, hard working man. I had just spoken to him moments before as we were both getting ready to leave. He said, he was "just running to the store for a couple things". It is just more proof that you never know when your time is up. He will be missed by his family, his neighborhood friends and his coworkers.

Anonymous said on Sunday, Feb 3 at 1:40 PM

I assume the "prayers for all the victims" knows the driver. But you weren't there so how do you know she wasn't texting or not paying attention. You don't. All that matters is an innocent hard working man died. Prayers to go to his friends and family!!!

close friend said on Sunday, Feb 3 at 4:40 PM

So if "prayers for all the victims" knows the driver maybe you can please explain why it took the driver over 600 feet past the point of impact to lay down skid marks and finally stop!!!!! Were they planning on fleeing the scene nut there were too many witnesses? We would really love to know the truth of how our close friend died!!!!!

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