A violent two-vehicle crash Monday afternoon injured Cortez City Councilman Mike Lavey, who was recovering Wednesday at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Grand Junction.
The crash occurred at the intersection of East Empire Street and Colorado Highway 145.
A work truck with a Sparks Plumbing and Heating emblem was southbound on the highway when it collided with a Toyota pickup truck driven by Lavey, according to Cortez Police reports.
The driver of the plumbing truck, Logan Vigil, 32, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of DUI, said Cortez Police Chief Roy Lane.
The crash remains under investigation, Lane said, adding that other charges might be filed. An expert has been called in to analyze the speed of the plumbing truck, Lane said.
The work truck had severe front-end damage and ended up on the west shoulder facing north. Glass debris and a tire littered the intersection.
Lavey’s damaged pickup truck was pushed off the road into a field. He was wearing a seat belt, said Cortez Fire Protection District Chief Jay Balfour.
Lavey was flown Monday evening from Southwest Memorial Hospital to St. Mary’s. His wife, Gail, told The Journal he had surgery on a broken hand and broken ribs but was in “good spirits.”
“He will recover,” she said. “We will power through it, but it will take some time.”
Cortez Mayor Karen Sheek said the council and staff “are keeping Mike and his family in our thoughts and prayers.”
Lavey’s signature “optimistic, positive attitude” guides the council and will aid his recovery, she said.
Lavey, 74, was elected to the Cortez City Council in November. He is known for community service, including for the Cortez Parks, Recreation and Forestry Advisory Board, Good Samaritan Food Pantry and Mancos United Methodist Church.
Witnesses of the collision said they heard a loud bang. A man who works nearby said the intersection has long been dangerous and that he and others have requested the Colorado Department of Transportation install a stop light.
Traffic was delayed because of the accident, but northbound and southbound drivers were allowed to pass through two open lanes on the east side of the roadway.
Cortez Fire Protection District, Cortez Police Department, Southwest Health System and the Colorado State Patrol responded to the scene.
