U.S. 287 crash kills one

By Coloradoan staff

One person was killed in an automobile crash on U.S. Highway 287 north of Fort Collins on Saturday morning in a nearly head-on collision.

The crash happened shortly after 10 a.m. near milepost 351 on U.S. 287, which is about a mile northwest of the intersection of U.S. 287 and Larimer County Road 54G just east of LaPorte.

A Chevrolet Avalanche driven by Gregory P. Nessler, 20, of Fort Collins was traveling southbound on U.S. 287, according to authorities, when it veered across the northbound lane, hitting a northbound Toyota Camry almost head-on at "highway speeds."

The passenger of the Camry, identified as Christopher E. Douglas, 28, of Lisbon, Maine, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Camry, identified by authorities as Amy V. White, 24, of Denver, and the driver and a passenger from the Avalanche were taken to area hospitals.

The passenger in the Avalanche was identified as Tyler Santomaso, 20, of Fort Collins.

The passenger of the Camry was removed by firefighters about an hour after the crash.

Police said the Camry attempted to make an evasive maneuver but was unable to avoid the collision.

Drugs are suspected as contributing factors on the part of the driver of the Chevy Avalanche, according to a news release.

Nessler has been arrested and charged with one count of vehicular homicide and one count of vehicular assault, among other charges.