A motorcycle driver died early Monday morning after colliding with a pickup truck entering Colorado 14 near Weld County Road 31 in Ault, and the motorcycle burst into flames in the collision. The pickup truck driver walked away unhurt. Friends and family have identified the motorcyclist as 22-year-old Jacob Salazar.
According to greeleytribune.com, the crash happened at about 2:38 a.m. Monday when the motorcycle was traveling eastbound and struck a pickup truck that was leaving a driveway and turning onto the highway. The motorcycle caught fire in the crash, and its driver died at the scene. The pickup truck driver was not injured, the outlet reported.
Colorado 14 was shut down for roughly four hours as crews worked the scene, reopening around 6:30 a.m. Monday, per the same account. The closure came during the early morning hours, limiting the disruption for most commuters, though the investigation into exactly what happened has continued in the days since.
Salazar Remembered as Family Man and Oil Field Worker
Salazar worked in the oil field, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up on his behalf, and was described there as the life of the party and a great person to be around. The fundraiser also said he loved his family, especially his nieces and nephews, according to Denver Gazette.
As of Saturday morning, the Ault Police Department had not released further details about the crash, per the Denver Gazette. The department has said police are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash, according to the greeleytribune.com report published Friday.
Memorial Ride Planned in Salazar's Honor
A memorial ride to honor Salazar was planned for Saturday, the outlet reported. The gathering is expected to draw fellow riders and loved ones remembering the 22-year-old, who friends and family say was a beloved presence among those close to him.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Ault Police Department at 970-834-1336, the department has said.
