Two Colorado travelers were killed in a motorcycle versus pickup truck crash Wednesday east of Bayfield.
The crash was reported at 10:57 a.m. near U.S. Highway 160 and Colorado Highway 151, near Chimney Rock, said Colorado State Patrol Trooper Gabriel Moltrer.
Two people on the motorcycle were killed in the crash. The Archuleta County coroner identified them as Chad and Melissa White of Brush, east of Fort Morgan.
Chad and Melissa were husband and wife. Chad was age 49; his wife’s age was not immediately known.
“It's very unfortunate – somebody just out to have a good time,” said Brad Hunt, county coroner. “It looks like they were going on a little trip, and then something like this happens.”
The crash occurred when the driver of a Ford pickup traveling west on Highway 160 attempted to turn left onto Highway 151 and failed to yield to the oncoming motorcycle, said CSP Capt. John Trentini.
Both motorcyclists were believed to be wearing helmets at the time of the crash.
Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected factors in the crash.
A similar crash occurred June 13 on U.S. Highway 160 east of Durango where a vehicle turning left failed to yield to a motorcyclist, resulting in the motorcyclist being killed.
“Please watch for motorcycles,” Trentini said. “It’s motorcycle season and sometimes they’re hard to see. ... This summer is only going to get busier.”
The driver was identified as Thomas Audetat of Pagosa Springs.
A GoFundMe account for Chad and Melissa White can be found by searching “Chad and Melissa White funeral and memorial fund.”
shane@durangoherald.com
