[July 30, 2015]: The truck driver who hit and killed Mr. Studt, identified as Easton resident Jose Pinon, is being charged with vehicular homicide-reckless driving.
Update [July 8, 2015]: Police have confirmed that Steven Studt has passed away from his injuries this past Sunday, July 5.
Fort Collins, CO — Police have said that a dump truck driver may be facing charges after an accident last Friday (June 26, 2015) that left a local bicyclist with very serious injuries. Steven Studt, 59, was critically injured after his bike was hit by Jose Pinon’s dump truck along Kechter Road at the I-25 overpass.
This was last Friday afternoon, at about 2:30 p.m.
Pinon had been driving his dump truck west along Kecther Road that afternoon while Studt was riding his bike in front of him. Apparently, Pinon tried to pass Studt by swerving into oncoming traffic and speeding up, but he was forced to move back into the westbound lanes early due to oncoming traffic.
His dump truck then crashed into Studt, who was next to him at that point, and Studt was thrown of his bike. He was then run over by the rear tires of Pinon’s dump truck, leaving him with very serious injuries.
Steven Studt was rushed to a hospital immediately, but Jose Pinon wasn’t harmed. Right now, the police are investigating this and trying to determine what really happened and whether Pinon should face charges.
Trooper Dusty Kraft is looking into this for the CSP and if anyone witnessed the accident or has helpful information, he can be contacted as 303-329-4501.
Map of the Accident
View from the Road
Commentary:
Bicyclists truly have to be careful on the road – no matter where they are – because accidents like this happen when drivers aren’t paying attention or they’re in a hurry. The fact is that, at the end of the day, bicyclists have basically the same rights as cars do with just a few exceptions.
But let me just ask the question that’s been on everyone’s mind, “What kind of hot-rod dump truck driver tries to gun his engine and pass a bicycle on the road?” A sports car, sure, I could understand that. Heck, even a Honda Civic has adequate power to pass another vehicle, but it doesn’t seem particularly wise for a giant, heavy dump truck to try and pass someone on the road. If you ask me, that’s just a recipe for an accident.
As far as I can tell, bicyclists in Colorado are required to ride “as far to the right” as possible to avoid accidents, but are otherwise entitled to be on the road just the same as trucks and cars. From what I see in the news, it really seems like the dump truck driver caused the wreck and probably should’ve just waited a few extra minutes to try and get around the bicyclist. I’d be curious to know more about what people know about this accident, because it seems like there are still some pretty big details missing.
— Grossman Law Offices
