4 Harley-Davidson riders hit by motorist; charges pending

Witnesses indicate Lexus driver ran red light, sergeant says

Hector Gutierrez, Rocky Mountain News

Published January 11, 2006 at midnight

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Four Harley-Davidson riders suffered serious injuries Tuesday when a motorist allegedly ran a red light downtown and plowed into them near the Denver Health Medical Center.

At least one of the motorcyclists was in critical condition at the hospital, police said. The driver of the Lexus that hit the riders was treated for minor injuries and released, traffic investigations Sgt. Robert Rock said. Charges are pending against the motorist, he said.

"We have several witnesses that indicate" she ran a red light, the sergeant said.

The wreck occurred shortly before 3 p.m., when the motorcyclists were traveling south on Speer Boulevard in the lanes closest to Cherry Creek. As they approached West Eighth Avenue, the Lexus driver, who was heading west on the avenue, drove into the four, Rock said.

"The evidence showed that they tried to do some evasive maneuvers, and the car just sort of came out of nowhere," the sergeant said.

Detectives were going over witnesses' statements and measurements concerning the accident late Tuesday, Rock said. None of the motorcycle riders was wearing a helmet.

The driver and the motorcyclists were not identified late Tuesday.

The wreckage snarled rush-hour traffic on Speer Boulevard in both directions.

gutierrezh@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-892-5204

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