State Patrol: Driver Told He Hurt Cyclist Mark Mihelic Just Kept Going

Over recent years, there have been a distressing number of hit-and-run accidents involving cyclists in the area, with far too many of them having fatal consequences.

Fortunately, the worst didn't happen to 54-year-old Mark Mihelic.

He's expected to survive, even though his injuries are frightful.

9News reports that Mihelic suffered a severe concussion, internal bleeding and spinal-cord damage that had to be addressed by many hours of surgery.

And the driver? In the beginning, he may have been unclear on the damage he caused. But when a witness told him what happened, he allegedly took off — and he remains on the loose at this writing.


According to the Colorado State Patrol, the incident took place at around 12:15 p.m. on Friday, October 16, on the 6800 block of Olde Stage Road near the Valley Lane intersection outside Boulder.

Responding deputies found a man subsequently identified as Mihelic.

A photo of Mihelic's bike taken by Frank Sledge, his riding partner that day, offers an indication of the impact.

Here's the shot.


Sledge tells 9News that the driver didn't stop after striking Mihelic — and that was shocking to a witness behind the wheel of another vehicle.

She's said to have followed after the original driver and was able to pull up alongside him and tell him about the damage he'd done.

We don't know the specifics of that conversation. But in the end, the hit-and-run suspect put the pedal to the metal and motored away.

In response, the witness dialed 911, then returned to the scene.


The CSP describes the suspect's vehicle as being a reddish mid-90s Chevy or GMC pickup truck.

In addition, the right front headlamp may be damaged.

As for the description of the driver, it's unfortunately quite vague.

He's characterized as a white male in his mid-twenties to thirties.


If you have any information about this incident or know the identity of the driver, you're encouraged to contact the Colorado State Patrol dispatch center at 303-239-4501.

Reference case number 1D154908. 

In the meantime, we send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Mark Mihelic.

As for drivers, please keep your eye out for cyclists — and if an accident takes place, see what you can do to help instead of leaving a victim in agony and speeding away.