Montrose Police Investigate Fatal Crash

Montrose, CO — Officers with the Montrose Police Department responded to a fatal crash Wednesday that killed a bicyclist on Encanto Place, located within the City of Montrose.

On Wednesday, June 12, at approximately 10:30 p.m. Montrose police officers received a report of bicyclist vs. vehicle accident on Encanto Place. Both Montrose Police Officers and Montrose Fire Protection Emergency Services responded and located a male individual lying in the street. Officers also located a 2009 GMC Sierra pickup and a female driver identified as 39-year-old Samantha Fish. The male was pronounced dead at the scene, and the Montrose County Coroner’s Office was notified.

Initial investigation revealed Fish was traveling westbound on Encanto Place. A male riding a BMX bike southbound in Murdoch’s Home and Ranch parking lot allegedly disregarded the stop sign controlling the parking lot access and was struck by Fish’s vehicle.

The Montrose Police Department contacted the Colorado State Patrol as the investigation of these incidents is very technical and the police department does not have a crash reconstruction expert on staff.

"I want to thank the Colorado State Patrol for their assistance in this investigation. Their crash investigation expertise is invaluable in these types of situations," said Montrose Police Chief Blaine Hall. "Currently the investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed in the case. This is a tragic accident, and the second very serious bicycle-versus-vehicle accident the Montrose Police Department has investigated within the last week."

Hall said it is very important for bicyclists to obey all traffic laws and ensure they are operating their bicycles safely.

"It is up to the Montrose County Coroner to release the identity of the decedent in this case. However, the Montrose Police Department wishes to express its sincere condolences to the decedent’s family," Hall said.

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