Fatal Single-Vehicle Crash on West Eisenhower Boulevard Claims Loveland Resident
A 59-year-old Loveland man died November 17 after his pickup truck accelerated, crossed oncoming traffic lanes and struck a light pole and tree on West Eisenhower Boulevard near Estrella Avenue, according to the Loveland Police Department.
The crash occurred around 7 p.m. in the 2300 block of West Eisenhower Boulevard when witnesses reported seeing a white Dodge truck traveling west through the area before it suddenly accelerated and drifted left. The vehicle crossed into eastbound lanes, continued onto the sidewalk and struck a light pole before traveling down an embankment and hitting a tree inside the Walgreens parking lot.
Thompson Valley EMS provided on-scene care to the driver, who was the lone occupant, but lifesaving measures proved unsuccessful.
The Loveland CRASH Team responded due to the severity of the collision. West Eisenhower Boulevard closed for approximately 30 minutes during the initial investigation along with repairs involving the damaged light pole.
Alcohol, drugs and excessive speed are not suspected factors in the crash. The investigation remains active.
CRASH Team Handles Fatal and Serious Injury Investigations
The Loveland CRASH Team—Collision Reconstruction and Serious Hazard Team—is a specialized unit within the police department dedicated to investigating major traffic collisions involving fatalities or serious bodily injury. The team receives advanced training in forensic crash reconstruction, evidence mapping and vehicle data analysis.
CRASH Team members conduct detailed investigations that extend beyond standard traffic incident documentation, including reconstruction of crash dynamics, comprehensive evidence collection and preparation of court-ready analysis. The investigations can take weeks to months depending on case complexity, though roadways reopen once critical scene evidence is preserved.
Standard traffic incidents involving minor injury or property damage are handled by the police department's regular traffic unit without CRASH Team activation.
West Eisenhower Boulevard Designated High-Priority Safety Corridor
West Eisenhower Boulevard, designated as US Highway 34, functions as a principal arterial roadway with a posted speed limit of 45 mph in the 2300 block, according to the Loveland US Highway 34 Access Control Plan. The corridor is managed under both City of Loveland and Colorado Department of Transportation oversight.
US-34 corridors including West Eisenhower Boulevard rank among the city's highest-frequency routes for serious crashes, with intersection-related incidents accounting for a majority of severe injury or fatal events, according to the city's Roadway Safety Study. The city monitors collision data through its Police Traffic Division and shares incident analytics with traffic engineering for priority enforcement and mitigation.
Sergeant Mayers from the Loveland Police Traffic Unit expressed appreciation for Loveland Fire and Rescue Authority, Thompson Valley EMS and all agencies involved for assistance during the incident.
Anyone with firsthand knowledge or additional details regarding the collision may call the Loveland Police non-emergency line at 970-667-2151.