On a quiet Tuesday afternoon, August 12, 2025, the Brighton community was struck by tragedy along Prairie Center Parkway, a road that runs through the heart of the city. Just after 3:00 p.m., the hum of daily life was shattered by a devastating collision that claimed the life of 30-year-old Drew Lving, a beloved local motorcyclist whose vibrant spirit and love for the open road defined him. The Brighton Police Department, now deep in the throes of a meticulous investigation, is piecing together the events that led to this heartbreaking loss, as a grieving community seeks answers and closure.
The scene unfolded in front of Platte Valley Medical Center, a place synonymous with healing, but on this day, it became the backdrop of sorrow. Officers arrived swiftly to find Lving lying on the asphalt, his body bearing the weight of catastrophic injuries. According to the preliminary investigation, Lving was riding northbound on his motorcycle, the wind likely whipping through his helmet as he navigated the familiar stretch of road. At the same moment, a southbound vehicle, driven by 29-year-old Brenda Rodriguez, also of Brighton, began a left turn into the hospital’s parking lot. In a fleeting, irreversible moment, their paths collided, the vehicle cutting directly into Lving’s trajectory.
Rodriguez, shaken but uninjured, remained at the scene, offering full cooperation to the authorities. As a precaution, she was taken to Platte Valley Medical Center for evaluation, her own shock mirroring the chaos that had just unfolded. Early findings from the Brighton Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit suggest that neither alcohol nor drugs played a role in the crash, pointing instead to a tragic miscalculation. Rodriguez now faces the weight of consequence, having been arrested for careless driving causing death. After booking at the Brighton Police Department, she was released pending further review by the Adams County District Attorney’s Office, which will determine formal charges in the days ahead.
For Lving, the outcome was far more final. Paramedics rushed him into the very hospital whose parking lot became the site of his tragedy. Inside, the skilled hands of medical personnel fought tirelessly to save him, performing desperate life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, Lving’s injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The news rippled through Brighton, leaving behind a void where a young man’s laughter, passion, and presence once thrived.
Drew Lving was more than a motorcyclist; he was a son, a friend, a vibrant soul whose love for riding was matched only by his devotion to those closest to him. Friends describe him as someone who lived for the thrill of the ride, the roar of his motorcycle a testament to his free spirit. Yet, it was his warmth, his loyalty, and his ability to forge deep connections that truly defined him in the eyes of those who knew him best. In the wake of his passing, tributes have poured in, painting a picture of a man who left an indelible mark on his community.
The Brighton Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit is now tasked with unraveling the precise details of the crash, a process that carries both legal and emotional weight. Under Colorado law, Rodriguez’s arrest and charge of careless driving causing death are but formal accusations, and she remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation continues, with authorities calling on the public for assistance. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Brighton Police Department tip line at (303) 655-8740, a small but vital step toward clarity in a case that has shaken the city.
As the sun sets on Prairie Center Parkway, the road now holds a somber significance for Brighton. For those who knew Drew Lving, the hum of a motorcycle will forever carry his memory—a reminder of a life cut short, a community in mourning, and a call to cherish every moment on the roads we share.
