Gerry Goldberg died at East Belleview Avenue and South Franklin Street in Denver on Monday. According to major media, his wife, Andreia Lea Goldberg, 59, was fatally struck by a motorist at the same intersection in May 2024 while returning home from a morning run. Gerry Goldberg co-founded Andie's Light, a community organization with the stated purpose of getting a traffic light installed at the intersection.
Gloria Goldberg, his cousin, said the fact Gerry was killed at the same intersection as his wife felt surreal, calling it 'almost like science fiction'. Andie's Light had pushed Cherry Hills Village council members to schedule a discussion on a traffic signal warrant study for March 17. The process for the traffic signal warrant study has been expedited following Gerry's death, according to Laura Gillespie, Cherry Hills Village City Clerk.
Belleview Avenue is also Colorado 88, a state highway, and state transportation officials have the final say on whether a traffic light should be installed, requiring a warrant study. A recent traffic study completed in October confirmed that traffic volume at the intersection met state requirements for a traffic light, and the state gave a traffic light the greenlight. It is unclear why, five months after the October study, no traffic light was installed and the Cherry Hills Village city council was still discussing a warrant study.
The March 17 city council meeting was to discuss an 'updated' traffic warrant study, according to Laura Gillespie, Cherry Hills Village City Clerk. The intersection is located in both Greenwood Village and Cherry Hills Village jurisdictions, which may have contributed to delays. Cherry Hills staff have been directed to coordinate with Greenwood Village to examine the intersection and determine next steps after Monday's fatal crash.
The exact cause of Gerry Goldberg's death has not been disclosed.