A Colorado man who campaigned to improve safety at an intersection after his wife was killed there has died at the same crossing.
Gerry Goldberg, 82, was mown down on Monday at East Belleview Avenue and South Franklin Street, which sits on the border between Greenwood Village and Cherry Hills Village in the Denver.
Almost two years ago in May 2024, his wife, Andreia Lea Goldberg, 59, was fatally struck by a motorist there while returning home from a morning run.
Her death inspired Gerry to co-found Andie’s Light, a community organization with the stated purpose of getting a traffic light installed at the deadly intersection.
‘Due to the death of Andie, I’ve been thinking of how much it means to me going forward that nothing like this ever happens again,’ Gerry told KUSA shortly after he was widowed.
Gerry died while he was driving to meet his cousin, Gloria Goldberg, for lunch. In an interview with KUSA, she recalled not seeing him at the restaurant and that he had not answered any texts or calls.
Gloria knew something was wrong and ‘went home with a very empty feeling,’ she told the outlet.
She said the fact Gerry was killed at the same intersection as his wife felt surreal. ‘It’s almost like science fiction,’ she told KUSA.
Gerry Goldberg, 82, was killed in a fatal car crash at the same intersection where his wife was killed nearly two years ago. He had been campaigning to install a traffic light there
Gerry’s wife, Andreia Lea Goldberg, 59, was fatally struck by a car at the intersection in May 2024 while returning home from a morning run
Gerry’s wrecked car is pictured getting towed at the intersection of East Belleview Avenue and South Franklin Street, which sits on the border between Greenwood Village and Cherry Hills Village in the Denver, Colorado, metropolitan area
The efforts of Andie’s Light had pushed Cherry Hills Village council members to schedule a discussion on a traffic signal warrant study for March 17.
That process has been expedited following Gerry’s death, Cherry Hills Village City Clerk Laura Gillespie told the Daily Mail.
Warrant studies collect data on traffic volumes, crashes and pedestrian activity to determine whether an intersection meets the criteria for having a light installed.
Because Belleview Avenue is also Colorado 88, a state highway, state transportation officials have the final say as to whether a traffic light should be installed, and they require the findings of a warrant study to make that determination.
According to a video published by Andie’s Light in October: ‘A recent traffic study was completed, and it confirmed that the traffic volume at this intersection has officially met the state requirements for a traffic light.
‘The state gave a traffic light the greenlight. The data is there. The need is proven. The solution exists.’
It is unclear why then, five months later, no traffic light was yet installed, and the Cherry Hills Village city council was still in the process of discussing a warrant study.
Gillespie, the city clerk, told the Daily Mail that the March 17 city council meeting was to discuss an ‘updated’ traffic warrant study.
Andie’s light, the community organization campaigning for a traffic light at the intersection, said five months ago that the state had greenlit the installation of one, but that has not happened yet. The intersection is pictured
The seemingly dragged-out process may have been due to the intersection being located in both Greenwood Village and Cherry Hills Village jurisdictions.
Staff at Cherry Hills have been directed to coordinate with Greenwood to examine the intersection and determine next steps after Monday’s fatal crash.
In a statement, Gillespie told the Daily Mail : ‘Any loss of life in our community is heartbreaking, and we recognize the profound impact this incident has had on loved ones and neighbors.
‘Our thoughts are with everyone grieving during this difficult time.’
Greenwood Village spokesperson Megan Copenhaver told the Daily Mail: ‘Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones impacted by this tragic incident.
‘The Cities of Greenwood Village and Cherry Hills Village have been evaluating the Belleview/Franklin state highway intersection in partnership with Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
‘Cherry Hills Village has announced that, in light of the recent accident, they will conduct a new warrant study. Greenwood Village looks forward to continuing to work with our neighbors to evaluate the study and discuss potential next steps.’
