Gwen Inglis Death: Driver Charged With Vehicular Homicide

LAKEWOOD, CO — A man has been charged with vehicular homicide after a crash Sunday that left renowned cyclist Gwen Inglis dead, the Jefferson County district attorney's office announced Friday.

Ryan Scott Montoya, 29, has been charged with multiple counts, including vehicular homicide - reckless driving, driving under the influence - second alcohol related offense, infliction of serious bodily injury to a vulnerable road user, careless driving, improper changing of lanes and passing on the left improperly, the office said.

Inglis was riding with her husband in a bike lane around 10 a.m. near Alameda Parkway and Indiana Street, when Montoya nearly struck her husband, witnesses said. Montoya then drifted into the bike lane and hit Inglis, and she was thrown from her bicycle, police said.

Inglis was taken to St. Anthony Hospital, where she later died.

Montoya remained at the crash site, and officers said he showed "signs of impairment, and he was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI," the DA's office said.

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Inglis, a renowned cyclist, won the 2019 US Masters road race championships for her age group.

"We are saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Gwen Inglis," the organization USA Cycling said in a statement. "The Masters Road Race National Champion was hit by a driver on her training ride Sunday morning and later passed away at the hospital. We are sending our thoughts to Gwen's family during this difficult time."

Hundreds of her loved ones and friends gathered Tuesday at the site of the crash for a ghost bike dedication.

“The health and safety of those who share our roadways is of paramount importance to our mission to protect public safety," said Alexis King, Jeffco district attorney.

"I have every confidence in Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Domingues, a highly experienced member of our leadership team, to effectively and ethically prosecute this case in the interest of all who live, work, and visit our community and to ensure fairness, dignity, and respect for Ms. Inglis’s family and loved ones in this process.”

Montoya pleaded guilty to DUI and possession of a controlled substance in 2014, and he was charged with speeding in 2018, prosecutors said.

He appeared in Jefferson County court Friday morning and was advised of his charges. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 15.