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Investigation Underway After Hiker and Trek Blogger Struck by SUV
Buena Vista Police are investigating a crash that sent three people to the hospital, including Eden, a blogger for The Trek, who was in town to thru-hike the 160-mile Collegiate Loop.
On Monday morning, August 18, a white SUV struck two women walking on the sidewalk along Highway 24, just south of Linderman Avenue. According to a press release from Buena Vista Police Chief Dean Morgan, the SUV then crashed into a building on the west side of the highway before coming to a stop.
Eden, trail name “Starfish”, at the Northern Terminus of the Arizona Trail.
Both pedestrians and the driver were transported with injuries. Eden was taken by helicopter to the Front Range for medical treatment. The other pedestrian, a young woman from Arizona, was transported to Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in Salida, while the driver was also taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The identity of the other women and the driver have not yet been released.
“To dispel a couple of rumors we’ve been seeing on social media, this was NOT crosswalk-related,” Chief Morgan told the Times. “The driver and passenger were coming from the Meadows event. The driver and passenger are fully cooperating with our investigation. The driver consented to a blood draw, and this will be sent to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation for analysis.”
At this point, Morgan said, no criminal charges have been filed. He noted that the toxicology results could take several weeks to come back.
Witnesses to the crash were thanked by the BVPD for their assistance. “When this crash happened, multiple citizens rushed to the aid of the women who had been struck by the vehicle,” Chief Morgan said. “We want to thank everyone who assisted in helping the injured citizens, and those who stayed and provided witness statements to officers.”
The Buena Vista Police Department is asking anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has photos or videos of the incident to contact Detective Michelle Flores at (719) 395-8654.
Donations to Eden’s GoFundMe will go towards her medical bills and living expenses while she recovers from the incident.
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Comments 5
WOW. I wish the best for these two ladies. They were on a sidewalk. Auto insurance is liable for lost wages and medical.
Speedy recovery for all. ♥️
Oh my gosh – having hiked the Collegiate Loop and also stopping in BV for resupply and a room/meal I’m shocked that this happened to you. It seems like such a quiet, safe place. Wishing Eden a full and speedy recovery.
Damn! Sending healing energies to Starfish. Hope you’re able to get back on the trail soon.
I can relate. An SUV ended my 2022 thru-hike of the LT. I too was blogging on The Trek at the time. After a year of healing and rehab, I was able to get back out there and finish. Hopefully you will too. Feel free to reach out if you need any advice or encouragement.
Very scary!!! Best wishes to starfish as she navigates the next few months.
I’m an avid hiker and have been following the trek bloggers for years. Such an amazing community.
2 months ago I was hit by a car while riding my bike; concussion, sprained feet and ankles and the top of my femur was shattered. It’s been a long 2 months of recovery but I’m now walking with a cane and working hard everyday to gain back my mobility and independence.
Thankfully I’m making progress everyday and am hoping to be back hiking trails before the fall season ends.
You’ve got a tough road Ms starfish, but you got this!! Tough girls rock!!! What an awesome community of people you have cheering you on!!
We can start a club: badass chicks who have been hit by cars!! 💜💙💚
Best wishes for full recovery, Starfish! Your perseverance and demeanor are an inspiration to us all!