Action alert
Make roads safer for cyclists
A cyclist was critically injured. Now is the time to make your voice heard.
As cyclists, we know that sharing the road with motor vehicles carries risks. Most of us have experienced a close call or wondered what might happen if a driver doesn’t see us, doesn’t give us enough space, or isn’t driving safely. For many, those moments start to change how we use bicycles — for fun, for fitness, and for commuting.
Occasionally, an incident brings those concerns into sharp focus. This is one of those times.
What happened
July 21, 2026 — south of Durango
On the evening of July 21, 2026, Elliott was riding with a local group south of Durango. After climbing Weaselskin Road and turning north onto Highway 550, the group approached the right turn onto County Road 302 toward Elmore’s Corner.
Elliott was riding in the wide shoulder and designated right-turn lane — not in the through lanes — at about 19–20 mph, preparing to turn. He was struck squarely from behind by a pickup truck towing a dual-axle trailer. The trailer then ran over him. Other riders in the group were also hit or clipped.
After the collision, the truck continued through the intersection, ran over a stop sign, left the roadway, and ended up in a fenced field. A liquor bottle and beer can later fell from the vehicle when the driver got out. Elliott remained conscious at the scene and was taken emergently to Mercy Hospital with critical injuries, including a fractured pelvis.
According to public case information, Thomas R. Huntsman was arrested at the scene and charged with Felony Vehicular Assault While Driving Under the Influence. The next scheduled event is a disposition hearing on September 25, 2026.
What you can do
Contact the District Attorney’s Office
The La Plata County District Attorney’s Office is responsible for prosecuting this case.
If you are a cyclist — or simply someone who believes our roads should be safe for everyone — consider contacting District Attorney Sean Murray and Prosecuting Attorney Vance Davis to share your thoughts.
The most effective approach is a personal letter or email written in your own words. Let them know why road safety matters to you, and respectfully ask that the case be handled in accordance with the evidence and applicable law.
If you can’t send a mailed letter, an email still helps. It can be difficult to email the District Attorney’s office directly for a variety of reasons. Forward your email to safe.roads.colo@gmail.com. We will print and hand-deliver emails to the District Attorney’s Office.
Make your message personal
Your own story is more powerful than a form letter
Take a few minutes to explain why this incident matters to you personally. You don’t need to write a long letter. A few genuine sentences can make your message more meaningful.
Consider including one or more of these:
- Your connection to cycling — How long you’ve been riding, and the role cycling plays in your life.
- Your experience on the road — Close calls, unsafe passes, distracted driving, or other moments that made you feel vulnerable as a cyclist.
- Why this incident affected you — What went through your mind when you learned a cyclist had been critically injured.
- Your personal concerns — What you think about when riding alongside traffic, and how this incident shapes that.
- Your request — Clearly and respectfully ask that the case be handled appropriately under the evidence and applicable law.
- How this incident impacts you — Whether it changes how you ride, or the choices you make about cycling.
Be genuine. A short message that reflects your own experience will be more personal than a lengthy letter that simply repeats the sample below.
Sample letter or email
A starting point — rewrite it in your voice
Dear District Attorney Murray and Prosecuting Attorney Davis,
I am writing regarding the case involving Thomas R. Huntsman arising from the July 21, 2026 incident involving a group of cyclists south of Durango.
I am a cyclist, and road safety is something I think about every time I ride. I enjoy cycling, but I also recognize the risks that come with sharing the road with motor vehicles. The circumstances of this incident have made those concerns particularly real for me.
Learning that a cyclist was critically injured was deeply concerning. As someone who rides, I cannot help but think about how easily this could have involved me or someone I care about. Incidents like this affect not only the people directly involved, but also the sense of safety of everyone who uses our roads.
I respectfully ask that your office continue to pursue this case to the fullest extent possible. I would be disappointed if this case is not fully prosecuted and the appropriate individual held accountable for this incident.
Thank you for considering my perspective.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City, if desired]
Sample copied. Paste it into your email and make it personal.
Contact information
La Plata County District Attorney’s Office
Sean Murray, District Attorney
Vance Davis, Prosecuting Attorney
La Plata County District Attorney’s Office
1060 2nd Ave., Suite B10
Durango, CO 81301
Email delivery support: safe.roads.colo@gmail.com