Two Killed in Head-On Collision on Highway 287 Near Livermore
Two men died in a head-on collision on Highway 287 near Livermore on October 17, according to the Larimer County Coroner's Office.
Matthew Scott Marlor, 29, of Colorado Springs and Daniel Macias-Armentero, 70, of Laramie, Wyoming, were pronounced dead at the scene near the intersection of Red Mountain Road and North Highway 287. Both were the sole occupants of their vehicles.
Dr. J. White performed full forensic autopsies on October 20 at the Larimer County Forensic Sciences Center. Toxicology testing is pending to complete the investigation, and the coroner's office will update its findings once results are available.
The Colorado State Patrol is investigating the circumstances of the crash.
Highway 287 Segment Records High Fatality Rate
The 30-mile segment of Highway 287 from north of Fort Collins to the Wyoming border, which includes the Livermore and Red Mountain Road area, recorded 570 crashes including 15 fatal wrecks during the past five years, according to a Colorado Department of Transportation report summary.
The stretch averages three fatal crashes per year and has been identified by CDOT as a "hot spot" for fatal and severe injury crashes relative to its traffic volume. The intersection of Red Mountain Road and Highway 287 has been the site of several severe crashes in recent years.
CDOT documentation identifies documented hazards on the Livermore stretch including blind curves, limited shoulders, wildlife crossings, intersections with limited visibility and frequent turning movements across undivided segments.
The highway in the Livermore area is an undivided two- to three-lane rural highway with sections that wind through foothills, creating spotty visibility and limited clear zones. The Red Mountain Road intersection is unsignalized with no dedicated turning lanes.
Head-On Crashes Account for Significant Portion of Rural Fatalities
Head-on collisions account for approximately 10 to 14 percent of all fatal crashes in Colorado each year, according to CDOT fatality analysis reporting. In 2024, the state documented approximately 60 head-on fatal crashes, with significant concentration on rural undivided highways.
CDOT and Colorado State Patrol data consistently identify primary factors in fatal head-on collisions as impaired driving, excessive speed, distraction, fatigue and improper passing or lane departures on undivided roads. Impaired driving plays a role in approximately 35 percent of head-on fatalities statewide, according to CDOT data.
Toxicology testing is a routine part of fatal crash investigations in Colorado and typically requires four to eight weeks from collection to laboratory report, according to Colorado Coroners Association standards. Final autopsy and investigative reports, including all laboratory results, are generally released within four to 12 weeks depending on case complexity.
The Larimer County Coroner's Office and Colorado State Patrol jointly investigate all vehicular fatalities in the county. The coroner's office determines medical cause and manner of death while the State Patrol conducts criminal or civil crash investigations.
Questions regarding crash circumstances should be directed to the Colorado State Patrol.