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Jun 07, 2023

These intersections have been Pueblo's most dangerous in recent years

Dozens of intersections in Pueblo have been prone to crashes in the past several

Dozens of intersections in Pueblo have been prone to crashes in the past several years.

In 2020, there were 13 vehicle-related fatalities across Pueblo County, according to data from Pueblo Area Council of Governments.

According to the most recent crash data from the city of Pueblo and Pueblo Police Department, at least six locations saw more than 20 crashes in 2020, at least three of which eclipsed that number in consecutive years. Several other areas recorded more than 10 wrecks.

The number of crashes at certain intersections was likely similar in 2021 and 2022. Andrew Hayes, director of public works for the city, said it's unlikely that crash data for specific areas changed significantly in those years because he suspects road and safety improvements weren't made to those locations during that time.

Here are some of the Pueblo intersections with the highest prevalence of crashes during and before 2020.

This intersection in 2020 had the most crashes with 40, more than half of which were rear-end collisions. Five of the wrecks occurred because of a broadside collision and six due to a person attempting to turn left in front of an oncoming vehicle. The Highway 50 and Elizabeth Street intersection is typically a busy area on the North Side and features numerous businesses and restaurants around it.

Between 2010 and 2020, the intersection topped the list of the most crashes every year except 2011, 2015 and 2017. In two of those years, it was second.

An intersection that's somewhat similar to what drivers encounter at Highway 50 and Elizabeth, this area in 2020 had 28 crashes, most of which came from rear-end collisions. Three of those crashes happened because of a broadside collision, also known as a T-bone crash.

The location is also on the North Side and not far east of Highway 50 and Elizabeth.

The area has maintained its status as one where drivers should be vigilant, as it has ranked near the top of the city's crash list since 2010 and topped that list in 2011, 2015 and 2017.

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Half of the 24 crashes at this intersection in 2020 occurred because of a rear-end collision and nine occurred due to a person attempting to turn left in front of an oncoming vehicle. Two of the crashes led to "serious injury," according to the city's data.

Because of this area's historic frequency of crashes — it ranked third on the city's list for most crashes for three consecutive years between 2015 and 2017 — the Pueblo Police Department installed a red-light camera there, said Pueblo police spokesperson Sgt. Frank Ortega.

This offramp in 2020 saw 34 crashes, which was less than the 42 that occurred there in 2020. Of the 34 crashes, 22 were due to a rear-end collision.

This location is also on the North Side and is near Fountain Creek. It saw more than 30 crashes every year between 2010 and 2020, including a high of 47 in 2013, which tied it with Highway 50 and Elizabeth for the worst intersections for crashes that year.

Last among the top five intersections for crashes in 2020 was Highway 50 and Club Manor Drive, which is in the vicinity of Elizabeth Street and Dillon Drive. Pueblo PD reported 23 crashes, a small uptick from the 20 recorded there in 2019.

One of the 23 crashes at this intersection led to serious injury and 17 of them happened due to a rear-end collision.

Before 2020, this intersection wasn't one of Pueblo's worst for collisions and usually hovered around 20 in those years.

Pueblo Boulevard, also known as Highway 45, is featured prominently on the list and has multiple intersections where at least 10 crashes occurred during and prior to 2020. Some other areas, such as Sante Fe Avenue and City Center Drive and Northern and Orman avenues, also recorded many crashes in those years.

The city is taking steps to address some of these dangerous intersections, including the planned installation of a traffic light at the intersection of Mirror Avenue and Pueblo Boulevard and incoming roundabouts in other areas of the city.

Chieftain reporter Josue Perez can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @josuepwrites.