Pedestrian’s death on U.S. Highway 550 ruled a suicide

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The driver of a vehicle that killed a female pedestrian on U.S. Highway 550 north of Durango last week will not be charged after authorities determined that the woman’s death was a suicide.

The crash was reported around 8:15 p.m. Thursday at about milepost 27, just south of the Alpen Rose RV Park and River Bend Ranch.

Authorities said an investigation showed the woman, identified as Alisha Bradley, 37, was in a vehicle with her brother on Highway 550 when they got into a verbal altercation. Both were intoxicated, authorities said.

According to La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith, Bradley wanted to get out of the vehicle, and her brother pulled over on the side of the road. Bradley got out and her brother made a U-turn, stopped on the other side of the highway, and told her to get back in the car.

Smith said that Bradley made a comment to her brother, and then intentionally stepped in front of a vehicle headed north. Smith said both Bradley’s brother and the driver of the vehicle attested she stepped in front of the vehicle on purpose.

Bradley was pronounced dead at the scene. Smith said she has ruled Bradley’s death as a suicide.

La Plata County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Chris Burke said because the death was ruled a suicide, the driver will not be charged.

It was originally reported Bradley was from the Shiprock-Kirkland area. She is from Dennehotso, Arizona. Incorrect information was given to The Durango Herald.

jromeo@durangoherald.com