A 2-year-old baby was killed in a reckless hit-and-run accident in Erie, Colorado, last Sunday afternoon in the neighborhood northeast of Mountain View Boulevard and Village Vista Drive.
The incident which was reported by the police has left many with heightened concerns as this follows two recent fatal traffic crashes in the same area — one which left a driver dead and a passenger with critical injury on a Sunday midnight and the other involving a 15-year-old on a motorised vehicle sustaining serious injury after hitting a vehicle at the intersection of Erie Parkway and Briggs Street.
As of now, the driver involved in the crash remains at large, as he reportedly left the scene on the spot.
The Police Responds to the Incident
Police have urged residents and anyone else with relevant information to assist the investigation efforts with whatever findings they may have by calling (303) 441-4444 to ensure the culprit is brought to justice.
Responding to requests for more information, Erie Police Chief Lee Mathis left a message:
‘One of the things we strive to do here at the Erie Police Department is to be as transparent as possible with the community regarding what is going on in Town. Our intention is never to cause discomfort or discord among anyone, but simply to inform, as best we can, regarding what is happening in town.’
Lee affirmed Erie Police are careful not to disclose specific identifying details about victims and aim to respect everyone’s privacy wherever possible.
He added that when an incident attracts significant public attention, particularly due to a large police response, officers try to clarify the facts to reassure those who may be worried or frightened about what has occurred.
‘Unfortunately, this particular crash, garnered significant public attention and necessitated our department put out a statement with the basic facts of the incident,’ Lee continued.
In a consolation statement, he shared his sentiments for the young boy and his family: ‘As a parent of two grown sons, I cannot imagine the anguish, sorrow, and pain they are going through right now. The boy and his family will remain on my mind and in my prayers for the best possible outcome.’
He assured the family that as a police department, he and his colleagues would do everything possible to prevent similar tragedies in the Erie community.
Road Safety Concerns in Erie
Flickr/ryanthescooterguy
Road safety remains a major concern in Erie, Colorado, due to its rapid development, which has led to increased volumes of traffic, speeding, and accidents. Key road safety concerns in the area include the following:
Higher Traffic and Speeding: With the rapid construction of new residential areas, the volumes of traffic, especially to major routes such as the Vista parkway and the Erie parkway has increased, which consequently has caused increased speeding as well as crash risks.Unsafe Intersections and Collisions: Major, including reports of occasions resulting in bridge rail damage in Erie Parkway, have increased significantly, and sometimes fatal crashes.Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety: People have mentioned severe cases of accidents involving minors in the crosswalks and using E-bikes, and this has made the police warn people and increase efforts in following the set traffic regulations.Environmental Hazards: A frequent problem in the winter season is the slick road conditions, particularly black, icy surfaces in bridges and overpasses, and this usually results in decreased road safety.Dangerous Carmenial: Aggressive driving, distracted driving, and drivers not stopping fully at red lights and stoplights are among the things of concern.
As of now, the Town of Erie has been making an effort to address these problems by setting and implementing a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, traffic calming techniques, and police presence, especially in school areas and high traffic places such as Erie Parkway.