COLORADO SPRINGS — The man and women killed in Thursday's fatal motorcycle crash on Woodment Rd have been identified by Colorado Springs Police as 30-year-old Justin Thomas and 32-year-old Samantha Thomas. The married couple recently moved from Texas to Colorado Springs.
According to police, Mr. Thomas came off the Woodmen exit from Interstate 25 at a high rate of speed as he was heading east. Preliminary crash information indicates he was lane splitting between cars when the motorcycle slammed into the side of a Jeep turning left onto Vincent Drive. Both husband and wife were declared dead at the scene.
The high speed impact of the motorcycle flipped the Jeep on its side and caused the motorcycle to burst into flames. The driver of the Jeep suffered minor injuries.
Colorado Springs Police had both directions of Woodmen Rd. closed at one point and the westbound lanes were eventually re-opened for the crash investigation. The hours long investigation kept the eastbound lanes closed.
Colorado Springs has now seen 32 fatal crashes this year compared to 34 at the same time last year.
When it comes to motorcycle riding in Colorado, it is illegal to split lanes or drive between cars. Colorado does not require motorcycle riders or passengers to wear any safety gear other than glasses to protect from wind.
It is not known if Justin and Samantha Thomas were wearing any protective gear at the time of the crash.
