Three months since an automobile accident ended Gerry Goldberg’s life, a memorial near the dangerous intersection of East Belleview and South Franklin St. that was heavily populated by flowers and pictures of Goldberg, is now barren, except for a broken power transporter and a few dormant electrical wires.
On March 2, Goldberg, 82, was the victim of a two-car crash at that intersection, two years after Goldberg’s wife Andreia died in a pedestrian accident at that very same location.
East Belleview is the line of demarcation between Cherry Hills Village and Greenwood Village. Both municipalities have received multiple pleas to install a traffic light at the intersection.
Earlier this year, Greenwood Village received a report from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) that the intersection met requirements for a traffic warning adjustment, though Greenwood Village has not acted on that report’s findings.
However, on June 2, the Cherry Hills Village City Council received a report from WSB Design and Consulting, saying the traffic at that intersection has not met the potential danger threshold that would warrant a new traffic light.
“Based on the evaluation of the traffic, traffic volumes, pedestrian activity and crash history, none of the applicable signal warrants have been satisfied at this location,” said Jay Goldie, public works director for Cherry Hills Village.
“And thus, the intersection does not currently meet the criteria for signal installation. And again, I think it’s important, just because a signal is not warranted does not mean there’s no concerns at this intersection. It simply indicates that the warrants are not met to install a light at this intersection.”
Cherry Hills residents objected, speaking up at the meeting.
“This a dangerous place to be and I can see where the traffic (light) will change behavior,” said Howard Sher.
“The message here is Cherry Hills needs to try other things to make Belleview safe,” said Linda McNee.
“Speeding on Belleview is a separate, distinct issue that needs to be addressed, to make the Belleview-Franklin intersection safer.”
Said Council member Doug Robinson:
“My purpose tonight is to urge my fellow counselors to take action to make this intersection safer. Immediately after Mr. Goldberg’s tragic death, the city council directed staff to conduct a study to determine where the conditions at the intersection met the well-established warrant conditions for traffic light.
“As you have heard tonight, these conditions were not met. That does not mean, however, that this matter is concluded.”
Added Cherry Hills Mayor Karen Brown: “The study confirms that traffic volumes on Franklin are generally very low, and that speeding on Belleview is a separate, distinct issue that needs to be addressed.
“With the deeply divided feedback we have received, I realize that some people in our community will be disappointed no matter the outcome of this process.
“My recommendation would be to work with CDOT as they evaluate future next steps.”
Council member Karen Fisher said: “We do continue to keep the Goldberg family and their friends in our hearts and in our minds, and it’s really hard not to think of them when we drive by that intersection.”
The IJN obtained documents related to the March 2 crash that killed Goldberg. The Cherry Hills Village police report from that incident said that the driver of an Audi that collided with Goldberg’s Honda was not liable in the accident.
The police report read:
“The Honda Hatchback (identified as Gerry Goldberg) was heading northbound on E. Belleview from S. Franklin St., and was struck by the white Audi traveling westbound on E. Belleview. The white Audi struck the silver Honda . . . and he (the driver) saw the driver of the silver Honda ejected through the passenger side window and possibly struck a nearby tree.”
Said one investigator on the scene in the police report: “I could definitely say with certainty that Goldberg was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision.”
Others wondered whether that was possible for Goldberg, who spent much of his adult life dealing in antique cars, or whether his seat belt might have been defective.
According to Cherry Hills police chief Jason Lyons, the driver of the Audi, Maissa Rahal, was not cited for any violation.
“The other driver was not at fault in this accident,” Lyons told the IJN. “As such, there would be no charges.”
At their June 2 meeting, Greenwood Village council members expressed the desire to collaborate ideas with Cherry Hills. The GV council was scheduled to address this matter at its own meeting on June 9, after the IJN went to press.
“I hear what people say, put up a traffic signal,” said Sher. “What they are they really are saying is, ‘please do something, please.’
“And that is a cry that resonates with me.”
© IJN 2026
