A heartbreaking car accident on US 287 near South Main Street and Woodley’s Fine Furniture has left one man dead and a woman critically injured, following what authorities and family members have described as a sudden medical emergency.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of July 26 when the driver of the vehicle reportedly suffered a health-related event behind the wheel. The vehicle veered off course, and in a courageous effort to prevent a larger tragedy, the passenger reached over from the passenger seat to try and control the car. Despite her efforts, the vehicle crashed.
The driver, whose identity has not yet been officially released by authorities, tragically died at the scene. His sister-in-law, Elizabeth Gunderson, later confirmed his passing on social media, sharing that the crash was caused by a sudden medical issue and not reckless driving as some had speculated.
“For all the people making jokes,” Gunderson wrote, “my amazing brother-in-law died today after a medical event through no fault of his own. His passenger, our dear friend, bravely put herself in harm’s way to keep others on the road safe.”
The passenger remains in critical condition in the surgical intensive care unit. According to witnesses and posts from local residents, she is fighting for her life following her selfless attempt to prevent further harm.
The community of Longmont has been shaken by the news, with several residents urging compassion and prayers instead of judgment. One post read: “Be careful out there driving. So many car accidents in Longmont… Before you’re all quick to judge, maybe say a prayer for them and their family.”
Local police are continuing to investigate the crash. They have not indicated that drugs, alcohol, or speeding played any role in the incident. The focus remains on the possibility that the medical emergency was the sole cause.
As friends and family mourn the loss of a beloved individual and hope for the recovery of another, the tragic accident serves as a sobering reminder of how fragile life can be—and how one act of bravery in a moment of crisis can mean everything.