Owners of Popular Foothills Food Truck Killed in Crash on Way to Denver

Some local media outlets picked up the tragic news of an early morning crash on Highway 285 on July 21, when a car driving over 100 mph the wrong way killed a couple. But the story is more tragic than just losing a husband and wife to an accident...an entire community is mourning.

"Michael and Debbie Carman were the owners and operators of the Abide Ride Burrito Truck. Many know Abide Ride, as it is a frequent stop for many Conifer, Pine and Bailey residents on their early morning commute to Denver," states a GoFundMe page that's been launched to raise money for the couple's son, Austin, by family friend Sam Norman.

"Unfortunately, when Mike and Debbie were traveling to Denver early on July 21st, to restock their orange juice before the day ahead, they were involved in a multi car collision. A wrong way driver was driving at speeds estimated near 100MPH, heading southbound in the northbound lane on 285 just north of the Hwy 8 (Morrison Rd) exit."
Michael Carman was pronounced dead at the hospital soon after his arrival. Debbie Carman was admitted to the ICU in critical condition, and died two days later with their son by her side. So far, the GoFundMe has raised almost $17,000, with a goal of $50,000 to cover the expenses of the funerals and hospital costs. According to Norman, any additional funds will go towards paying off any debts related to the food truck.

"We're trying to get Austin set up to the point where he can focus solely on keeping their legacy alive with the truck and making them more successful than it ever has been," says Norman, a paramedic.

According to Norman, the police have been "hush hush" about the driver who caused the deaths, and why he may have been traveling at such high speeds. The Carmans were heading from Conifer to their Denver supplier to purchase orange juice for the morning rush when their vehicle was struck. Norman says he thinks Michael Carman turned his side toward the impact to try and save his wife, which is why Debbie Carman survived in the hospital for two days.

Damon Scott, who started Abide Ride in 2015 with his father-in-law, says he sold the truck in 2018 to Debbie, who had been an employee. Scott, who now lives in Pagosa Springs, says he'd stayed in touch with the Carmans and they had been planning a ten-year anniversary "customer appreciation party" in Conifer.

Norman says that Austin, who's in his late twenties and works as an arborist when he isn't helping with the truck, will now keep Abide Ride running in tribute to his parents' memory.


The GoFundMe campaign for the Abide Ride food truck is at gofundme.com/f/austin-needs-us-tragic-loss-of-family.