A Dolores man was fatally injured July 5, after making a U-turn on his ATV into oncoming traffic on Highway 145.
Edward Bieber, 78, was airlifted to Mercy Medical Center where he died the next day, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
Motorcyclist Phillip Mays, 55, of Orient, Ohio, was injured when he crashed into Bieber, reported CSP Sergeant James Saunders. Mays was transported to Southwest Memorial, and was treated for a broken arm, foot and ribs, and was discharged earlier this week, according to a hospital official.
"Mays survived because he was wearing a helmet," Sgt. Saunders said. "His injuries would have been much worse without it."
Bieber was not wearing a helmet.
The accident occurred at mile marker 20, eight miles northeast of Dolores.
Bieber was traveling northbound on the grassy shoulder between the road and a fence at around 8 p.m., according to the accident report. He made a U-turn and collided with southbound Mays.
Sgt. Saunders said it is illegal to drive an ATV on the highway. There are limited exceptions for agricultural uses.
"It is very unfortunate. The ATV was the at-fault vehicle for making a U-turn in front of oncoming traffic," he said.
jmimiaga@cortezjournal.com
