COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Commerce City Police Department said officers responded to three recent serious crashes between cars and cyclists.
Commerce City Police public information officer Joanna Smalls said the volume of similar incidents is "a lot."
The first happened Dec. 23, where a cyclist sustained critical injuries on Highway 85 between 57th Avenue and 56th Avenue. Investigators found the cyclist at fault for the crash.
One week later, Dec. 30, a cyclist crossing Highway 2 at 72nd Avenue was hit by a car and seriously injured. The driver did not stay on scene, making it an alleged hit-and-run.
The department said the driver is facing a handful of charges.
Less than six days later, also on Highway 2, a cyclist was hit and killed near East 64th Avenue.
"It was a pretty violent crash," Smalls said.
The driver stayed at the scene and officers were in contact with that person, according to police. They do not believe excessive speed or alcohol were factors in the crash.
Smalls said while speed isn't presumed to be the cause of the latest incident, the department said excessive speeding does happen often on Highway 2.
"Highway 2 is a very busy road and people are traveling at fast speeds," Smalls said. "If you have to cross there as a pedestrian or a bicyclist, we want you to go to an intersection that has a crosswalk."
Smalls encourages bicyclists to make themselves as visible as possible, especially if they ride at night. She recommends high-visibility clothing, helmets and lights on bikes.
"We understand you have to get where you’re going and sometimes that involves crossing a busy road, but you need to make yourself as visible as possible when you’re doing that. We want drivers to see you," Smalls said.
Smalls said the department is also working with city agencies to better light areas along the highway in hopes of reducing the number of collisions.
She said while lighting is an issue, it isn't an opportunity to cross a street illegally or for a driver to take off from a possible crime scene.
Smalls said the department will continue to enforce jaywalking laws to keep pedestrians and cars away from one another and safe.
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