CSP: Boylan crash accidental

MONTROSE — No one may ever know why Thomas Boylan drove up Red Mountain Pass at some point between his disappearance Oct. 20 and the discovery of his body Nov. 5.

What officials are saying, however, is that the crash that killed the 82-year-old Montrose man was accidental.

Colorado State Patrol Trooper Darel Reed said that from his agency’s standpoint, the crash could be put down to fatigue.

Boylan was the subject of a desperate search by his family and the Montrose Police Department. A neighbor reported seeing Boylan leave his home the night of Oct. 20 and drive away.

His family was immediately suspicious, because Boylan did not see well and did not like to drive at night. They asked people to be on the lookout for their father’s distinctive 1990 Chevy Suburban, which was found Nov. 5 at the bottom of a steep cliff.

Police initially said a delivery truck driver on Highway 550 spotted the wreckage.

Reed has since said that a Colorado Department of Transportation driver saw the wreckage and that CDOT and passersby were involved in the initial response. He praised Montrose and the regional community for their response to the Boylan tragedy.

The MPD, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, CSP and Ouray County Sheriff’s Office worked together on the investigation, which Reed said revealed no foul play.

Officials determined Boylan ran off the right side of Highway 550, at about mile marker 90. Reed said Boylan’s tire apparently went off the edge first, and the vehicle possibly hit a 12-foot drop-off before rolling multiple times down the cliff for nearly 400 feet.

———

For the full story, see today's print edition. The online story may not reflect all relevant information that was reported. We encourage readers to obtain the full story by reading the print edition or our e-edition, To subscribe, call (970) 252-7081 or click on the subscription link on the main page.