A 75-year-old man who was traveling on foot was struck and killed by a passing vehicle Monday night on north Main Avenue in Durango, according to law enforcement.
The accident occurred about 8:20 p.m. near 21st Street, where the man apparently stepped into traffic when he did not have the right of way, said Cmdr. Nick Stasi, with the Durango Police Department.
The man was identified Tuesday afternoon as Monte Ray Leidholm of Las Cruces, N.M. His family told police he was in town visiting as a tourist to see the fall colors.
Leidholm was crossing from west to east, going from the area of Subway to the area of Adobe Inn, Stasi said.
Police declined to speculate as to whether Leidholm accidentally stepped into traffic or purposely stepped into traffic, saying the investigation remained active Monday night.
Leidholm was pronounced dead on scene.
Police declined to identify the driver of the vehicle, other than to say it was a male driver about 60 years old who was from out of town. He was driving a Hyundai sedan north on Main Avenue.
La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith said she had no reason to believe Leidholm purposely stepped into traffic.
“I don’t think that he jumped in front of a car,” she said. “I think he just accidentally walked out there ... because other people that were right there said they didn’t see him walk out there either. It was dark, so maybe they didn’t.”
Stasi said the driver showed no signs of impairment, and speed does not appear to have played a role. No charges are expected to be filed against the driver, he said.
Two blocks of Main Avenue – from 20th Street to 22nd Street – were closed until shortly before midnight. Traffic was rerouted along side streets.
shane@durangoherald.com
