By Andrew Kiser, KREX Grand Junction | If there was one recurring characteristic that Tyler Smith’s friends reflected on, it was “boy, could he sing.” As the host of Karaoke Night at Town Hall Tavern in Montrose, many got to hear him belt out several well-known tunes. He would also DJ under the name “DJ Tymus.” He wasn’t a bad poker and pool player, too.
His friends have been left reeling as Smith died Wednesday in a car crash on U.S. Highway 550 near Colona.
“He truly was everybody’s friend, a goofball, and a protector,” Michael David Gemmell said. “He was my best friend, and I know I was his and I will always count myself lucky to be able to say that. . .
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Go here to read more about Mr. Smith:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/friends-remember-montrose-man-as-thoughtful-funny-gifted-singer/
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Fatalities and rescues in 3 accidents on U.S. Highway 550 this week
By Katharhynn Heidelberg, Montrose Daily Press
Three crashes on U.S. Highway 550 in as many days claimed three lives, including that of a Montrose man, and resulted in two different rescues of survivors.
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One day later, Tyler G. Smith, 40, of Montrose, died when the Dodge Caravan he was driving as a company vehicle collided head-on with a Ram 1500 on the highway at mile marker 113.2. His passenger sustained severe injuries; two people in the Ram also were hurt, although not severely, Colorado State Patrol Cpl. Darren Alstatt said.
The Caravan was headed toward Montrose at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday, when for reasons unknown, it crossed the center line and hit the truck, Alstatt said. Both vehicles spun off the side of the road. Smith was dead at the scene. His passenger was taken to Montrose Regional Health, and from there, to Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction. Alstatt said this person’s injuries were classified as severe, but not life-threatening.
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The Colorado State Patrol’s leader is also urging people to be careful when on the roads, in light of a recent rise in fatal crashes statewide.
“As chief of an organization devoted to safe travel on our roadways, I take these tragedies personally. You can expect strict enforcement of our traffic laws when you see a Colorado state trooper,” CSP Col. Matthew Packard said in a Wednesday statement that was not specific to any particular crash.
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Go here to read the full story (all 3 accidents):