On Monday, April 4, 2022, at 2:27 P.M., Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) officers were dispatched to the intersection of South Academy Boulevard and East Bijou Street regarding a three-vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers located an individual suffering from serious, life-threatening injuries. After being treated by the Colorado Springs Fire Department and AMR on scene, the individual was transported to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. Due to the nature of the crash, the CSPD’s Major Crash Team responded and assumed responsibility for the investigation.
The initial investigation found that a Mazda was traveling northbound of South Academy Boulevard. When the driver of the Mazda attempted to make a left turn onto westbound Bijou Street, they were struck by a red VW sedan traveling southbound on South Academy Boulevard. After the initial contact, the Mazda also struck another VW sedan that was sitting at a red light waiting to travel east on Bijou Street from South Academy Boulevard. Speed is being considered as a possible factor and this remains an active and on-going investigation.
On Friday, April 15, 2022, Major Crash Team detectives were notified that the driver who turned left to travel west on Bijou from Academy and was transported to the hospital succumbed to the injuries they sustained in the crash. On Monday, April 18, 2022, the El Paso County Coroner’s office conducted an autopsy of the deceased person. The deceased has been identified as 79-year-old Michael Levan. This was the 10th fatal traffic crash this year. At this same time last year, the CSPD Major Crash team had investigated 13 fatal traffic crashes.