Morrison Cyclist Killed, Driver Gets Probation And A Year Off The Road

A Jefferson County judge on Wednesday opted for probation instead of jail time for the driver who struck and killed a cyclist in Morrison last year, a decision delivered in a packed courtroom full of the victim's friends and family. Kenneth Black, 74, received 12 months of supervised probation, community service, and a one-year loss of driving privileges under the terms of a plea. The cyclist, 60-year-old Gerald Missel, died from injuries he suffered in the Sept. 24, 2025 collision.

Judge's Sentence And Terms

Judge Corinne Magid imposed the sentence after Black pleaded guilty to reckless driving and failure to yield, according to Denver7. The deal calls for 12 months of supervised probation, 200 hours of community service, a one-year driver's license suspension and a $150 fine. If Black violates probation, he could serve 90 days in jail. The punishment was part of a plea agreement that capped Black's risk of immediate incarceration, a tradeoff that often frustrates grieving families even as it resolves a case.

Family Testimony And Crash Details

Before sentencing, relatives and friends delivered emotional victim-impact statements. Missel's wife, Jennifer, told the court, "I'll never forget the phone call," as the family urged Judge Magid to order six days in jail to mirror the six days Missel spent in the ICU. The crash report states that Missel was riding eastbound on West Belleview Avenue when Black turned left onto Colorow Drive on Sept. 24, 2025 and hit him. Missel was taken to a hospital and later died of his injuries, according to Denver7. From the bench, Magid said she was moved by the letters and the outpouring of support, while acknowledging that what the law can impose and what brings emotional closure are not always the same.

Community Response And Memorial Gift

After the hearing, Colorado nonprofit We Ride 4 presented a $5,000 check to The White Line, money raised in Missel's honor to support advocacy for vulnerable road users. The White Line gathers crash data, presses for policy changes and pushes for safer streets for cyclists and pedestrians. Organizers and friends said the donation was meant to turn grief into action and to keep Missel's memory closely tied to efforts that could protect others on Colorado roads.