CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, Colo. — In a heartbreaking twist of fate, Gerry Goldberg, an 82-year-old widower who had spent months advocating for safety improvements at the Colorado intersection where his wife was fatally struck by a vehicle, was killed in a car crash at the exact same spot on Monday.
Andie Goldberg, 59, died in May 2024 while on her morning run at the intersection of Belleview Avenue and University Boulevard in Cherry Hills Village, a quiet suburb south of Denver. The pedestrian accident galvanized her husband, who launched a campaign to install a traffic light at the crossing, dubbing it “Andie’s light” in her memory. Despite his efforts, the light has yet to be installed, and now Gerry Goldberg has become the latest victim of what locals have long described as a hazardous junction.
According to family members and local reports, Goldberg was driving through the intersection around midday on Monday when his vehicle collided with another car. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene. His cousin, Gloria, who had planned to meet him for lunch that day, grew concerned when he failed to appear. “I went home with a very empty feeling that something was askew because that was not like him,” Gloria told First Coast News. Later that afternoon, she learned the devastating news: her cousin had perished in the same location where his wife of 32 years had lost her life nearly a year earlier.
“To have it happen in exactly the same place … it’s almost like science fiction,” Gloria said, her voice heavy with disbelief. The coincidence has stunned the tight-knit community, where the Goldbergs were known for their active involvement in local causes. Gerry Goldberg, a retired engineer, channeled his grief into action following Andie’s death, attending city council meetings and gathering signatures for a petition to address the intersection’s dangers.
The petition, submitted to Cherry Hills Village officials last fall, collected 432 signatures from residents urging the installation of a traffic light. In it, supporters implored lawmakers to “look in the mirror [and] ask themselves ‘What’s the right thing to do?’” Goldberg himself addressed the city council just months before his death, expressing hope that his wife’s tragedy could prevent future losses. “I would like to think that Andie’s tragic death could have some positive outcome by ensuring the future safety of others using Belleview and being able to cross or turn onto it safely,” he said, according to meeting records cited by local media.
In an interview with KUSA-TV last year, Goldberg elaborated on the personal significance of the proposed light. “It would give me a great deal of resolve for closure in the loss of my wife,” he told the station, his determination evident even as he navigated profound sorrow. Friends and neighbors recall him as relentless in his advocacy, often sharing stories of Andie’s love for running and her vibrant presence in the community.
The intersection at Belleview Avenue and University Boulevard has been a point of contention for decades. Residents have repeatedly called for safety enhancements, citing high speeds and poor visibility as major risks. Jennifer Arcenia, a local resident, told KMGH that she and her mother had lobbied city officials for a traffic light at the spot 45 years ago, when Arcenia was just a child. “We’ve been asking for this for so long,” Arcenia said, highlighting the frustration felt by many in Cherry Hills Village.
A study conducted by the Colorado Department of Transportation in September 2024 underscored these concerns. The report found that 85 percent of vehicles passing through the intersection were traveling at least 5 mph over the posted 35 mph speed limit. Based on this data, state officials approved plans for a traffic signal. However, village authorities have not yet moved forward with implementation, citing budgetary and logistical hurdles, according to city statements.
Megan Copenhaver, a spokesperson for Cherry Hills Village, acknowledged the ongoing issues in a statement to KMGH. She noted that in response to community complaints, the city has increased police patrols in the area to enforce speed limits and monitor traffic patterns. “We are committed to the safety of our residents and are reviewing all options,” Copenhaver said. Despite these measures, critics argue that a traffic light remains the most effective solution.
The Goldbergs’ story has reignited discussions about pedestrian and driver safety in suburban Colorado. Andie Goldberg’s death was one of several accidents at the intersection in recent years, though exact figures on prior incidents were not immediately available from village records. Local running groups, which Andie was part of, have expressed condolences and renewed calls for action, with some members planning a memorial run along Belleview Avenue this weekend.
Gerry Goldberg’s advocacy extended beyond the traffic light. He collaborated with safety experts and transportation advocates, sharing data on similar intersections nationwide where signals have reduced fatalities. In one council presentation, he referenced national statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which show that uncontrolled intersections like this one contribute to thousands of pedestrian deaths annually across the U.S.
Family members say Goldberg’s death has left a void, but they hope it will finally spur change. Gloria, his cousin, plans to continue the push for “Andie’s light,” vowing to honor both Goldbergs’ memories. “Gerry wouldn’t want this to be in vain,” she said. Community leaders have scheduled an emergency meeting for next week to revisit the traffic light proposal, potentially fast-tracking it in light of the recent tragedy.
As investigations into Monday’s crash continue, authorities have not released details on the other vehicle involved or any potential charges. The Cherry Hills Village Police Department confirmed the incident but deferred further comment pending the outcome of their probe. Meanwhile, state transportation officials reiterated their support for the signal installation, urging local cooperation.
This series of events at the Belleview Avenue crossing serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of delayed infrastructure improvements. In Colorado, where rapid growth has strained roadways, similar battles over safety upgrades are playing out in communities from Boulder to Colorado Springs. Advocacy groups like Vision Zero Colorado, which aims to eliminate traffic deaths, have pointed to the Goldbergs’ case as emblematic of broader systemic issues.
For now, the intersection remains much as it was—a busy crossroads without a light, where the 35 mph limit is routinely ignored. As spring approaches and runners like Andie Goldberg return to the streets, residents are left hoping that Gerry’s untimely death will be the catalyst for lasting change. “What’s the right thing to do?” the petition asked. In Cherry Hills Village, that question echoes louder than ever.