Colorado Springs traffic deaths rise in 2026 as family mourns man killed in May crash

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Colorado Springs traffic deaths are up in 2026 compared with last year, as one local family mourns the loss of an 80-year-old man who died following a May crash near Memorial Park.

There have been 23 traffic deaths in Colorado Springs between Jan. 1 and May 25, 2026. During the same period in 2025, the city recorded 14 traffic deaths.

Of the 23 deaths so far this year, 10 involved vehicle occupants, seven involved motorcyclists and six involved pedestrians.

In 2025, Colorado Springs recorded 53 traffic deaths. That total included 24 vehicle occupants, 21 motorcyclists, seven pedestrians and one bicyclist.

The most recent crash occurred on May 8 near Union Boulevard and Parkside Drive. A two-vehicle collision left 80-year-old Paul Montoya injured. He died May 14 at a local hospital, according to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office. The crash remains under investigation, and no charges have been filed.

Montoya’s daughter, Paula Montoya, said her father had just celebrated his 80th birthday days before the crash.

“My father turned eighty years old on May 5, four days prior to this accident,” she said. “These last two weeks have been very difficult.”

She described him as an active man who enjoyed fishing, camping and attending car shows with his family.

Colorado Springs Police Department Public Information Officer Derek Wilson said the department continues to see the same leading factors in serious crashes.

“Speed is the number one contributor, driving while under the influence, and distracted driving,” Wilson said. “Those are the factors that whether it’s 2025 or 2026, that’s what we’re seeing.”

Wilson said the department is focused on reducing those behaviors through education and enforcement efforts.

“We want to educate the community to help them understand the trends that we see and why we’re seeing them,” he said. “Zero is the acceptable number.”

The family has created a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses and to move Montoya’s belongings from his apartment.