On October 19th 2024 at approximately 05:00 am, Fort Collins Police received an automated 911 call from a cell phone indicating that it was involved in a serious vehicle collision near the intersection of South College Avenue and Triangle Drive. When officers arrived on scene they located a Nissan Pathfinder in the natural area on the east side of South College Avenue. An adult female was found in the driver seat, deceased. The vehicle was otherwise unoccupied. Due to the severity of the collision, the CRASH (Collision Reconstruction And Scene Handling) Team responded to take over the investigation.

The investigation has so far revealed that the Pathfinder was traveling southbound on South College Avenue. The vehicle struck the center median and then entered the northbound lanes, travelling on the wrong side of the roadway. The vehicle proceeded off the roadway, colliding with a guardrail and then impacted a group of trees, before coming to rest east of South College Avenue in a ravine. Officers are working to determine if excessive speed and alcohol contributed to the severity of the collision.

“This is a tragic incident, and our officers remain committed to thoroughly investigating the circumstances of the crash. We are dedicated to identifying the facts so we can provide answers and bring clarity to those impacted,” said Sgt. David Lindsay who oversees the CRASH team.

North and southbound College Ave was closed in between Trilby Road and Carpenter Road for approximately 7 hours while investigators processed the scene. Anyone with information about this collision who has not already spoken to police is asked to call Officer Phil Morris at (970) 221 6540. The Larimer County Coroner will release the cause, manner, and identity of the decedent at a later time and after notification of next of kin.