John Elrod dies in fatal Colorado Springs motorcycle crash
Fatal Colorado Springs motorcycle crash death of John Elrod – Obituary
John Elrod, 66, lost his life following a motorcycle accident at the intersection of East Cheyenne Road and Southgate Road in Colorado Springs on April 16. The El Paso County Coroner’s Office confirmed his identity.
Authorities reported that the incident took place just before 4 p.m. when Elrod’s motorcycle collided with a trash truck. Emergency personnel, including fire and ambulance crews, arrived quickly and transported Elrod to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
According to Colorado Springs police, the trash truck had been stationary at a red light heading south on East Cheyenne Road alongside another vehicle. Once the light turned green, both vehicles waited momentarily before entering the intersection.
Elrod, who was riding westbound on Southgate Road, reportedly ran a red light, striking the front of the other vehicle. The force of the impact caused him to become trapped beneath the trash truck. Investigators determined the trash truck driver was aware of the impact but did not realize Elrod was pinned underneath.
No charges are expected for the driver of the truck. Elrod’s son, Sam Elrod, shared a brief tribute, saying his father “marched to the beat of his own drum” and expressed gratitude for having known him.
This incident marks the eighth traffic-related death in Colorado Springs so far this year. Police noted that by the same time last year, there had been 16 fatalities. Over the past year, the city has seen a total of 41 traffic deaths.
