On Saturday, January 16, 2021, at approximately 2:38 PM, the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) was notified of a two car crash at the intersection of Barnes Road and Antelope Ridge Drive. First responders from the Colorado Springs Fire Department provided first aid to one of the drivers whom they found ejected from his vehicle. This driver was subsequently transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of his injuries.
The Major Crash Team has assumed responsibility for this investigation. Detectives have determined that a gray Tesla sedan was westbound on Barnes Road, attempting an unprotected left turn onto southbound Antelope Ridge Drive, under a yellow light, when it struck an eastbound black Honda hatchback which also had a yellow light. The Honda then went off the right side of the road and struck a fire hydrant. The driver of the Honda, 30-year-old Mick Gardner of Colorado Springs, was partially ejected from his vehicle. Mr. Gardner died on January 18th as a result of the injuries he suffered in this crash.
Neither excessive speeds nor impairment are considered factors in this crash and the investigation into this traffic fatality is continuing. Mr. Gardner is the second traffic fatality in Colorado Springs this year; at this time in 2020 there were also two traffic fatalities in the city.