Fatal car-bicycle accident closes Lefthand Canyon Drive

Submitted by David on

Looks like Christopher Loven has had issues with cyclists before. Here is an article form June of 2009:

BOULDER, Colo. — A Boulder County man accused of accosting a bicyclist in a weekend road-rage incident has been ticketed on suspicion of reckless endangerment.

The ticket, a class-three misdemeanor, alleges that Chris Loven created a “substantial risk of bodily injury to another person” by nearly forcing a cyclist into oncoming traffic. The charge is punishable by fines ranging from $50 to $750, and a maximum of six months in jail.

The incident that led to the ticket happened about 6 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Lee Hill Drive and Olde Stage Road. Loven said he came upon a cyclist in the middle of the road who refused to move over and then punched his truck after a verbal confrontation.

The cyclist claims Loven was driving aggressively. Sheriff’s officials said a witness to the incident claimed Loven, not the cyclist, was the aggressor.

Loven, 43, will appear in a Boulder courtroom late next month. On Wednesday, he said he plans to fight the charge.

Complete Article

From the Daily Camera:

Fatal car-bicycle accident closes Lefthand Canyon Drive

By Erica Meltzer, Camera Staff Writer
Posted: 06/17/2011 12:24:57 PM MDT

Colorado state troopers are investigating a fatal accident involving a car and a bicycle in Lefthand Canyon.

Boulder County sheriff's dispatchers said Colorado State Patrol will be handling the investigation.

Trooper Heather Cobler said the accident occurred at Lefthand Canyon and Lee Hill drives just after noon. She said she believed the victim was the cyclist, but hadn't yet confirmed that.

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32 Comments

No one around here has

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

No one around here has anything against this guy's child. Also I understand, it's pretty traumatic for a non-first-responder to deal with an accident situation, so I understand if you have a heavier emotional investment in this than most.

But the local bike blog is not the place to expect sympathy for a guy with a history of harassing cyclists and who subsequently killed one by violating a simple traffic law. We have to deal with jackasses like this every day.

cylists need to be prosecuted

Submitted by David Kahil (not verified) on

I lived in boulder height for 20 years and i must say the last since lance armstrongs rise to glory the cyclists have become raging assholes. They hit your car if your not going fast enough (which is 40 mph over the limit for the cyclist) Our neighborhoods are invaded everyday by people who throw used energy drinks in our mailboxes, happily sidewind uphill at 1.5 mph while texting and trying to hold a conversations with their friend right next to them who is having the same troubles. I believe cyclists should be made to register their bike and have plates and pay taxes use the road. When they brake traffic laws , which are constant hazard in the mountains, they should be identified. Cyclists should not be allowed to flout the laws and terrorize citizens, who gave you cyclists the right to make stop signs optional? By the way, the witness,is a cyclists, which in my opinion makes said testimony doubtful. Cyclist need to be prosecuted.

re: cylists need to be prosecuted

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

what a strong comment in a story almost one year old about a 73 year old in a fatal bike accident.

I have two tickets to prove that cyclists get "prosecuted".... I didn't even argue for a second as I was in the wrong (knowingly) both times and entirely accept the consequences. Identical to my behavior in a car and the three tickets I've accumulated in 30 years of driving.

I never feel the need to "not be prosecuted" when breaking a traffic law. Do you feel entitled to even drive 1 mile over the speed limit w/ out receiving a ticket? If so then you are demonstrating hypocritical tendencies - quite common when individuals "attempt" to share the road while also feeling misguided entitlements. If you never ever go a single hair over any posted speed limit, then my stinky cycling cap of to you good sir/madam. Just good luck if you ever choose to leave your Boulder bubble and try to drive the speed limit on 36 or 93.

And anyone that spells the

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

And anyone that spells the word "break" as "brake," should be ignored for lack of education.

I think nearly 100% of cyclists pay taxes and bikes don't cause damage to the roads to render the increased frequency for repairs. I see more pedestrians and auto drivers hitting other cars more than cyclists. In fact, I have only seen a cyclist smack a car once and it was because the driver was being an a-hole and creating a dangerous situation (anti-bike driving).

Yes, there are idiot cyclists out there, but more idiot drivers and pedestrians than cyclists.

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