The Colorado State Patrol and the Weld County Coroner’s Office confirmed that a 68-year-old Fort Collins man was fatally struck by a FedEx delivery truck on Interstate 25 early Sept. 26, authorities said.
Crash details and official findings
The collision occurred just before 5 a.m. on Sept. 26 on southbound I-25 near milepost 241 close to Mead, according to a Colorado State Patrol news release. Preliminary investigation showed the pedestrian was moving north in the right southbound lane when a southbound FedEx truck struck him.
“The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene,” said a Colorado State Patrol news release summarizing the preliminary investigation.
The Weld County Coroner’s Office identified the pedestrian as Michael Collins, 68, of Fort Collins in a Sept. 28 release. The FedEx driver, described as a 35-year-old, was not injured in the incident, and state patrol officials said the driver is not expected to face criminal charges. The crash remains under investigation.
Local context and safety considerations
The stretch of I-25 where the crash occurred is a major corridor for Fort Collins commuters, freight haulers and early-morning traffic between northern Colorado communities. While investigators continue to examine the circumstances, the preliminary patrol statement that the pedestrian was walking north in a southbound travel lane underscores the dangers of pedestrian activity on high-speed interstate roadways.
- Time and place: just before 5 a.m., southbound I-25 near milepost 241 (Mead).
- Victim: Michael Collins, 68, Fort Collins resident, pronounced dead at the scene.
- Vehicle and driver: FedEx delivery truck; 35-year-old driver not injured and not expected to face charges.
Fort Collins residents who travel that section of I-25, particularly during early-morning hours, said the crash is a reminder of the risks when pedestrians and high-speed traffic mix. City and regional transportation officials generally advise pedestrians to avoid interstate shoulders and travel lanes and to use designated crossings and local streets where possible. The Colorado State Patrol handles investigations of crashes on state and federal highways and typically releases updates if new investigative findings alter initial conclusions.
What authorities have said and next steps
State patrol investigators have characterized their findings as preliminary. They have not announced any citations or charges related to the crash and say the matter remains under investigation. The Weld County Coroner finalized the identification of the victim on Sept. 28; a cause-of-death determination beyond the fact of the collision has not been released publicly by the coroner in the materials provided.
Officials did not provide information about why the pedestrian was in the southbound lane or whether environmental factors, lighting or impairment were contributing elements. Those are the types of details typically explored during an ongoing crash investigation.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date and time | Sept. 26, just before 5 a.m. |
| Location | Southbound I-25 near milepost 241 (near Mead) |
| Victim | Michael Collins, 68, Fort Collins |
| Vehicle | FedEx delivery truck; driver 35, not injured |
| Investigation status | Ongoing; driver not expected to face charges (per state patrol) |
The incident raises questions for Fort Collins drivers and commuters about emergency response, highway lighting and options for pedestrians who must navigate areas adjacent to interstates. City and county agencies that oversee local streets do not manage interstate shoulders; those areas fall under state jurisdiction. Community members seeking more information should watch for updates from the Colorado State Patrol and the Weld County Coroner.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor the investigation and report any new details released by the Colorado State Patrol or the Weld County Coroner’s Office.
