Durango, CO : A 63-year-old Durango man who was hit by a vehicle on Monday, August 7, 2017

A 63-year-old Durango man who was hit by a vehicle while bicycling Monday on north Main Avenue was airlifted to a Grand Junction hospital with serious injuries, according to Durango Police Cmdr. Ray Shupe.

The crash occurred about 5:30 a.m. in the 3600 block of north Main Avenue. Christopher Balchunas was riding southbound in the bicycle lane when he was struck by a 2007 Subaru Impreza, Shupe said.Balchunas suffered serious head trauma and was flown to Grand Junction, he said. Balchunas was not wearing a helmet. A spokesman at St. Mary’s Medical Center said Balchunas was in “serious” condition as of 2 p.m. Monday.

Shupe identified the driver of the vehicle as 22-year-old Jessica Durbin, also of Durango.

According to witnesses, Durbin was traveling south in the left lane when she drifted into the right lane and into the bicycle lane, where she struck Balchunas, Shupe said.

Alcohol or drugs are not suspected at this time. Instead, investigators suspect Durbin was reaching down for something on the floor of the car when she crossed over two lanes.

Shupe said charges are pending.

“We’ll wait to see the condition of the victim before a final charging decision,” he said.

Shupe said both Balchunas and Durbin live north of town and were likely traveling to work.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Officer Dave Smith at 375-4733.

Portions of north Main Avenue were closed most of Monday morning as investigators reconstructed the crash scene.

Source :
Driver may have been distracted in bike vs. car crash