Driver Suffers Medical Emergency Before Crashing into Building Near Terry Lake
A driver experiencing a medical emergency lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a building near Terry Lake on November 23, requiring firefighters to use specialized equipment to free him from the wreckage.
Poudre Fire Authority crews responded at 9:23 a.m. to the single-vehicle crash on North Highway 287 near Terry Lake. The driver was traveling at a high rate of speed when the medical emergency caused him to lose control, according to PFA.
The vehicle struck a building and the driver became wedged inside. Firefighters deployed a winch mounted on Rescue 4 to pull the trapped vehicle from the building structure, allowing crews to safely extract the driver. UCHealth transported the patient following the extraction.
The building and its contents sustained substantial damage from the crash. Colorado State Patrol and the Larimer County Sheriff's Office also responded to the incident.
Highway 287 Remains Priority Safety Corridor
US Highway 287 north of Fort Collins has been identified as a priority corridor for ongoing safety monitoring by the Colorado Department of Transportation, according to the Larimer County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The highway is classified as a Principal Arterial with speed limits typically ranging from 50 to 60 mph in the area.
CDOT maintains responsibility for design, maintenance and safety improvements on the state highway, while Larimer County provides local input and coordinates with law enforcement agencies. The corridor has been the focus of intersection improvements, updated signage and widened shoulders at high-crash locations in recent years.
Multi-Agency Response Standard for Highway Incidents
Poudre Fire Authority maintains jurisdiction for fire suppression, vehicle extrication, hazardous materials management and emergency medical care within its 230 to 235 square mile service area covering parts of Larimer and Weld counties. Colorado State Patrol leads traffic incident investigations on state highways, while the Larimer County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement responsibilities on county roads.
PFA operates 13 fire stations and employs 248 full-time staff including 207 uniformed firefighters who must complete certifications conforming to National Fire Protection Association standards. Vehicle extrication personnel receive specific training under NFPA 1006 Rescue Technician Professional Qualifications and maintain proficiency through ongoing education and live drills.
The authority's rescue apparatus includes hydraulic rescue tools, winch systems, rope rescue equipment and stabilization tools that conform to NFPA 1936 standards for powered rescue tools.
Poudre Fire Authority recently collected nearly 400 winter coats for students across Poudre School District on November 17 through its firefighter union Local 1945.