E-scooter rider killed in hit-and-run crash in southwest Fort Collins

Miles Blumhardt, Fort Collins Coloradoan
Updated ·2 min read
Emergency vehicles
Emergency vehicles

Update: Jan. 1, 2024: The Larimer County Coroner’s Office identified the decedent as 34-year-old Kyle Dewall of Fort Collins, who died from multiple blunt force injuries.

Original story

An e-scooter rider was killed in southwest Fort Collins on Thursday night after a hit-and-run crash, prompting police to ask for the public's help in finding the suspect vehicle.

The crash occurred just before 9 p.m. in the 2100 block of South Taft Hill Road, according to a Fort Collins Police Services news release. The crash scene is near Blevins Middle School.

Officers arrived and found an adult male in the road suffering serious injuries. He was transported to Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, where he was pronounced deceased from his injuries, police said. The name of the victim has not been released.

The preliminary investigation indicates a dark-colored SUV, believed to be a black 2008-2010 Nissan Rogue, was traveling north on Taft Hill Road when it struck an adult male who was riding an e-scooter in the bicycle lane, police said.

The vehicle driver did not remain on scene and was last seen heading north on South Taft Hill Road at West Prospect Road.

Police said there is damage to the front of the vehicle.

"We need our community’s help in identifying the involved vehicle and driver,'' Sgt. Mike Avrech, who oversees the Fort Collins Police CRASH Team, said in the release. "Leaving the scene of any crash is a violation of Colorado law, and one involving death is especially egregious. Our thoughts go out to those in our community affected by this tragedy.''

The Fort Collins Police Collision Reconstruction and Scene Handling Team, CRASH, is leading the investigation. Taft Hill Road was closed in both directions between Valley Forge Avenue and Stuart Street for approximately six hours while investigators were on scene.

Fort Collins police are asking anyone who has not already spoken to the police and have information or video regarding the crash or the involved vehicle to contact Officer David Kaes at (970) 416-2229.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins police looking for driver in death of e-scooter rider