Three Colorado Springs police officers have been involved in motorcycle crashes in the space of a month. Two of them died. Michael Builta, 34, died Monday following a crash at one of the city's most dangerous intersections.

As a Colorado Springs police officer, risk is something Michael Builta knew. It comes with the job.

On Monday, the risk involved crossing the busy intersection of Barnes Road and Tutt Boulevard, near Security Service Field.

"I have three kids. It scares me that could have been us," said Jodi Bohenna Tuesday. She came upon Builta's crash after the fact. It was another recent accident at a crossing near her home.

"Probably 10 or 12 at least, not counting the times we had to slam on our brakes so it wasn't us," Bohenna said.

Off-duty, and traveling west on Barnes on his motorcycle, Builta slammed into a mini-van driven by 36-year-old Pei C. Lo turning onto Tutt.

He suffered serious head injuries, and didn't survive.

"The officer was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash," said CSPD spokesperson Lt. David Whitlock.

Whitlock said Builta was well liked at the Sand Creek Station where he worked. He was a four-year veteran of the force.

"Certainly the work that he's done and the contribution he was making to our community will be missed," said Whitlock.

In the meantime, some within the community wonder what can be done at this intersection, equipped with lights, but 23rd out of the city's 25 most dangerous.

"They need to put in turn arrows, they know it's a dangerous intersection. They're not doing anything about it," Bohenna said.

The crash is still under investigation by detectives with CSPD's Major Accidents Unit.

No tickets have been issued so far.

An 11-year-old girl who was in the mini-van at the time of the crash was hurt, but is expected to make a full recovery.

CSPD Chief Richard Myers released the following statement about the accident: “The tragic death of Officer Michael Builta has had a profound effect on many of his co-workers here at CSPD. In a two month period, we have endured two officers’ untimely deaths to traffic crashes off duty, and almost lost a third to a horrendous on-duty crash. CSPD is, in many respects, like a large extended family, we often spend more time with our colleagues than we do with our own families. In a profession where we risk it all to keep the community safe, relationships run deep. We ask for the understanding, support, and compassion from our community as we struggle to cope with these losses, and to join us in holding the Builta family in our thoughts and prayers.”
(To read the complete press release by CSPD, click on the document link above.)

Police say there is no evidence of impaired driving on the part of either driver/operator in the crash. Weather and roadway conditions were not factors in the crash.

Whitlock said Tuesday, Security Service Field, home of the Sky Sox, plays a big part in the dangers of the intersection. Whitlock said most of the accidents excluding the latest fatal accident are minor.