Fort Collins, CO – A 37-year-old Fort Collins man, Charles “Chad” Winters, was struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing East Mulberry Street on the night of Dec. 1, 2025, authorities and family members confirmed.
Details of the Accident
The Colorado State Patrol reported that the crash occurred at approximately 8:44 p.m. near Air Park Drive. Winters was crossing from north to south in the eastbound lanes of Mulberry Street, also known as Colorado Highway 14, when he was struck by a Hyundai Elantra driven by a 26-year-old man from Timnath, Colorado.
Winters was pronounced dead at the scene. His brother, Patrick Winters, told the Coloradoan that Chad was jaywalking at the time and may have been heading to a storage unit he rented. Chad was reportedly wearing all black when the collision occurred.
East Mulberry has a history of serious pedestrian crashes, with multiple incidents in recent years, including two significant crashes about a year ago farther east. The roadway’s design—with four lanes connecting to two frontage roads—has been cited as a factor in pedestrian safety challenges.
Remembering Chad Winters
Chad Winters grew up in Fort Collins, attending Fossil Ridge High School and Poudre High School, as well as Front Range Community College and Colorado State University (CSU). He graduated from CSU in 2014 with an English degree, achieving a 4.0 GPA, and had a passion for writing.
Patrick Winters described his brother as a multi-talented individual who loved cooking, playing harmonica, painting, and reading, particularly the classics like Moby Dick. He added that Chad had recently reconnected with family and was hopeful about upcoming appointments and opportunities, despite experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges over the past decade.
“Despite everything, he had recently been in contact with our family and was hopeful about several opportunities and appointments he had scheduled in the coming weeks,” Patrick Winters said.
Struggles and Legacy
Chad Winters faced mental health struggles and had been living off and on with family in Denver, though he chose to remain in Fort Collins. His brother emphasized that Chad “did his best to survive with a mind that, in the end, grew too heavy for this world.”
Patrick Winters reflected on the difficulty of mental illness, saying, “It’s really hard with mental illness. He was definitely loved.”
Authorities continue to investigate the crash, but no additional details about the driver or charges have been released. The incident highlights ongoing pedestrian safety concerns on heavily trafficked roads like East Mulberry Street.
Share Your Thoughts and Support
How can communities better protect vulnerable pedestrians and those experiencing homelessness or mental health challenges? Share your thoughts, condolences, and ideas for improving road safety in the comments below to honor Chad Winters’ memory.
