Crash Overview

Location Description 

From 38th Street north for about 2 miles, Animas View Drive runs parallel to Highway 550. Animas View Drive has been developed a lot over the past three to four decades. Oxbow Park, the United Campgrounds of Durango, and easy access to the river make this area a popular destination with both tourists and local outdoor enthusiasts. There are multiple apartment complexes, condominiums, and townhomes in the area - all of these may be sources of increased traffic, especially when compared to historic volume levels. 

Crash Summary

• The crash at this location occurred at 7:46 p.m on September 14, 2023.
• 27-year-old Katie Marie Siegrist was walking north along Animas View Drive prior to the crash.
• 66-year-old Olivia Marie Burkhart was driving northbound in a 1987 Jeep Wrangler when she collided with Katie; Olivia told police she did not see Katie until just before the collision. 
• The speed limit on this stretch of Animas View Drive is 25 miles per hour (mph).
• Law enforcement indicate that it was raining at the time of the collision and note that this section of Animas View Drive is not well-lit in the darker hours of the evening.

Why was this crash nominated? 

• Media coverage on Animas View Drive scrutinizes the design of this roadway and states it has been dangerous for a long time. 
• Strong Towns believes that alleged speeding of up to 50 mph—or double the posted speed limit—in this area exemplifies the importance of design speed as a component of traffic safety. 

What additional information is available? 

• A diagram to assist you with visualizing and understanding the measurements of the crash location.
• A folder containing the speed study and processed speed data.

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