The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Miller not wearing a helmet
A tragic motorcycle accident just south of Crested Butte on Sunday afternoon took the life of a longtime Gunnison resident and former mayor of the community. Fifty-five year-old Rick Miller died as a result of the accident that occurred on Highway 135 near Brush Creek Road at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
According to the report from the Colorado State Patrol, Miller was riding a red 2002 chopper-style motorcycle, with Tracey Miller, 47, on the back. His son, Miah Miller, 34, was riding a 1984 Harley Davidson XLH-1000 motorcycle behind Rick. He had a passenger as well, Ashley Sexton, 29, of San Pedro, Calif.
Witnesses say the motorcycle riders were heading north together when the chopper started to pull an abrupt U-turn and cut in front of the Harley. The Harley hit the left rear portion of the chopper, sending all four riders off the bikes and into the highway.
Emergency personnel responded immediately and all four were transported by ambulance to the Gunnison Valley Hospital. Rick Miller was pronounced dead at the hospital. Sexton, Miah and Tracey were treated in Gunnison but Tracey sustained serious injuries and was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction.
The two women were wearing helmets but Rick and Miah were not. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to have played a role in the incident but the accident is still under investigation.
Services for Rick are pending until Tracey is released from the hospital in Grand Junction. A fund to assist the family with expenses is being set up at Gunnison Savings and Loan.
