Kristyn Wade Injured in Golden DUI Bicycle Accident
The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 6 at Johnson Road when a driver ran a red light, police say
Kristyn Wade, 35, was seriously injured in a bicycle crash involving a suspected impaired driver at U.S. Highway 6 and Johnson Road in Golden on March 25, according to the Golden Police Department.
Traffic at the intersection had stopped for an incoming train when a vehicle sped through a red light in the left lane, striking the Wade in the crosswalk. Wade suffered significant brain injuries and multiple broken bones, family members said. She was placed on a respirator in an induced coma and is receiving treatment at Craig Rehabilitation Hospital in Englewood.
Police have identified the driver, and authorities are awaiting the results of a toxicology report before determining formal charges.
While Golden police await toxicology reports to determine criminal charges, the family of the victim faces immediate medical and financial hurdles. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "In accidents such as this, independent investigators often work alongside law enforcement to preserve scene evidence, secure witness statements, and review intersection camera footage before it is overwritten."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 938 pedalcyclist fatalities in the U.S. in 2022. Impaired driving accounts for nearly one-third of all fatal and serious injury crashes in Colorado each year.
What are the next steps for Kristyn Wade's family?
National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, of Bond Legal, noted that "Victims of bicycle accidents often require lifelong medical care, making it essential to thoroughly evaluate all available insurance policies and liability avenues early in the process."
Colorado personal injury framework
Under Colorado law (C.R.S. § 13-21-111), injured bicyclists may pursue a personal injury claim against an at-fault driver based on a modified comparative negligence system. When a driver is suspected of impairment, victims can seek compensation through civil courts concurrently with any criminal proceedings brought by the state. Bond noted that "In bicycle accidents, civil claims operate independently of criminal charges, allowing victims to seek restitution for their damages regardless of the criminal case's timeline or outcome."
Victims who suffer catastrophic injuries may be entitled to recover economic damages for medical expenses, rehabilitation, and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering. The statute of limitations for motor vehicle-related personal injury claims in Colorado is generally three years from the date of the crash.