On February 15, 2024 at approximately 2:27 am, a Larimer County Sheriff’s Deputy located a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta in the middle of the road in the 5800 block of South Taft Hill Road. The Jetta was on fire. The deputy was able to see that there were two people who appeared deceased inside the vehicle. Poudre Fire Authority responded to assist in putting the fire out. Fort Collins Police Officers began to respond as this is located within FCPS’s jurisdiction. When officers arrived on scene, they were able to see that there was a third deceased person in the Jetta in the backseat of the vehicle.

Due to the severity of the crash, the Fort Collins Police CRASH (Collision Reconstruction and Scene Handling) Team responded to take over the investigation. To this point, the investigation has revealed that the Jetta was travelling southbound on Taft Hill Road when it drifted onto the shoulder and struck a parked 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 pickup truck that had been broken down and parked on the shoulder. The Silverado was unoccupied at the time of the crash.

Poudre Fire Authority assisted in extricating the deceased individuals from the Jetta. Taft Hill Road was closed in between Trilby Road and Harmony Road for approximately 8 and a ½ hours while investigators processed the scene.

“This is an extremely tragic incident, one that certainly will have a profound impact on both the families of those involved, but also the community. Our team of investigators will do everything they can to try and find answers for the families, but in the meantime, we will be there to support them however we can,” said Fort Collins Police Chief Jeff Swoboda.

The Larimer County Coroner’s Office will release the identities of the involved individuals. Anyone with information who has not already spoken to police is asked to contact Officer Matt Brede at (970) 221-6842.