Dolores County farmer and native Stanley Daves was killed Saturday afternoon when a truck struck his tractor on U.S. Highway 491, about a mile west of Dove Creek.
According to Colorado State Patrol Capt. Adam Driscoll, around 1:30 p.m. Daves, 62, was eastbound on a 1966 John Deere tractor when a 2008 Ford F-150 with Arizona plates, also traveling east, struck the left rear corner of the tractor.
Driscoll said the tractor rolled over and came to a rest on top of Daves, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The truck’s driver, 68-year old Justin Day of Lupton, Arizona, was arrested on suspicion of careless driving causing death. Driscoll said alcohol and excessive speed are not suspected.
“We believe fatigue was a factor,” he said. “But we don’t know if he (Day) was trying to pass him (Daves) or what.”
Daves was born and raised in Dolores County – the third youngest child of 12 for Floyd and Glennis Daves.
His sister-in-law, Margaret Daves, said Stanley lived his whole life in Dolores County, farming beans, wheat and alfalfa, and working in a uranium mine.
“He was always friendly, liked to tease people, joke,” Daves said. “It’s planting season around here, so he was moving his tractor from one field to another to plant corn.”
Daves said her brother-in-law with his wife, Charlotte, also ran the Dinner Bell Restaurant in Dove Creek.
“He was the best biscuit maker in town,” she said. “We’re just devastated. It’s been hard.”
Ernie Williams, a Dolores County commissioner, said he was good friends with Stanley Daves.
“He was a friend to a lot of people in the community and always helpful,” Williams said.
A memorial service for Stanley Daves is set for 10 a.m. Friday at Dove Creek High School.
jromeo@durangoherald.com