Colorado family mourns after father killed by elk crash

In Colorado, a tragic incident occurred on September 29, when a Castle Rock family lost their father, Victor Rodriguez, in a car crash involving a cow elk. The family was returning home from a weekend trip to the mountains when the elk, which had been struck by another vehicle, crashed through their windshield, resulting in Victor's death. This shocking event has left his wife, Nancy, and their three children devastated, as they remember him as a phenomenal father and a gentle man. Following the accident, Mary Rodriguez, one of Victor's daughters, began researching the frequency of wildlife-related car crashes in their area. She discovered that over 3,000 such incidents have occurred in Douglas County since 2010, highlighting a significant safety concern for local residents. The family has since initiated a petition to raise awareness about the dangers of wildlife on highways and to advocate for the installation of wildlife fencing to prevent future tragedies. The Rodriguez family has reached out to local authorities, including Douglas County commissioners and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), to discuss potential changes that could enhance road safety. Their efforts aim to not only honor Victor's memory but also to protect other families from experiencing similar heartache. This incident underscores the urgent need for community engagement and proactive measures to address wildlife-related hazards on roadways, as the family hopes their advocacy will lead to meaningful changes in traffic safety policies.