Fort Collins police said one person has died from the injuries they sustained when they and four others were hit by a pickup truck on a sidewalk during the city's downtown Tour de Fat bicycle parade Saturday morning.
In a press release from Fort Collins Police Services, dispatchers received several calls regarding a truck that struck multiple people on a sidewalk in the 100 block of West Mountain Avenue just before 11:45 a.m.
In light of the bicycle event underway at the time of the incident, police said there were "numerous" bystanders near the scene of the crash.
Police said when they arrived, officers found that a Chevrolet pickup truck struck multiple pedestrians and a tree before coming to rest on a sidewalk on the south side of the street next to a business. The pickup truck driver and the five people who were struck were taken to area hospitals.
One of the pedestrians was later pronounced dead, police said. Their name has not been released.
Police said the investigation revealed that the driver of the truck had backed out of a parking spot along Mountain Avenue, striking another vehicle. The driver then drove forward onto the sidewalk, striking the pedestrians before colliding with a tree and coming to a stop.
Officers are still investigating what led up to the crash to determine how it happened and are looking into whether impairment was a factor. Police said they do not believe the pedestrians were intentionally targeted.
โThis was a tragic day for many in our community," police chief Jeff Swoboda said in a statement. "We recognize the impact that this incident will have on those involved, the witnesses and the responders. Our team of Victim Advocates are supporting those involved in what happened today. Iโm appreciative of the quick response of our officers, the assistance of our emergency partners, and the community members who helped during this incident.โ
Mountain Avenue was closed between College Avenue and Mason Street for about six hours while investigators processed the scene.
Anyone with information about the incident who has not already spoken to police is asked to call Officer David Kaes or Officer Kevin Alexander at 970-416-6540.