Fort Collins city employee killed Tuesday in crash at Transfort facility

COLORADOAN - A city of Fort Collins employee was killed Tuesday night when he was hit by a Transfort bus at the at the city's bus maintenance and fueling facility.

Police were notified of a pedestrian vs. bus crash at the Transfort maintenance and fueling facility in the 6500 block of Portner Road in Fort Collins just after 7 p.m., according to a city news release. The man had life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The Larimer County Coroner's Office will release the man's identity and cause of death at a later time. The families of those involved have asked for privacy and for names of those involved not be released.

The preliminary investigation revealed that the bus was out of service and being driven into a garage at the facility by a maintenance employee when the driver hit the other employee, according to the news release.

"This is a tragic situation for everyone involved," Fort Collins Police Deputy Chief Greg Yeager said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted and their families."

The driver was uninjured, and police do not suspect any impairment was involved in the crash.

“The safety and security of our employees is of utmost importance, and a full review of the incident is underway,” Fort Collins City Manager Kelly DiMartino said in a news release.

The city’s safety and risk management team is conducting an investigation to assess safety concerns related to the accident, according to the news release. The Fort Collins Police Services CRASH (Collision Reconstruction and Scene Handling) Team is also investigating.

“We are devastated over this tragic incident and the loss of our valued colleague,” said City Manager Kelly DiMartino. “Our hearts are with all who were involved and impacted by this awful event, and we are working to support family, friends and our fellow coworkers.”

Matthew Haltzman, the attorney representing the mother of the man killed, said the mother has been requesting information from police and has "not been provided answers by police investigators or Transfort."

"It is our concern that this refusal to provide answers is an attempt to protect the city, its employees and potentially shield liability," Haltzman said in a statement.