Grand Junction, Colo. | July 23, 2025 — The Mesa County Coroner has formally identified the woman struck and killed by a vehicle on North Avenue earlier this month as 63-year-old Tammy Turner, a longtime resident of Grand Junction.

The incident occurred on the evening of July 15, near the Walmart Supercenter — one of the busiest pedestrian corridors in the city. According to authorities, Turner was crossing the road near the store when she was hit by an eastbound car.

She was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, where she died later that evening.

A moment that changed everything

Details from the Grand Junction Police Department indicate that the call for help came just after sunset, when visibility can be especially challenging. Emergency responders were on the scene within minutes, but the impact had already caused devastating trauma.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. As of Wednesday morning, no charges have been announced, but the investigation remains ongoing.

“This is a tragic loss of life,” said one local official familiar with the response. “We’re reviewing all available evidence — including traffic footage and witness statements — to understand what exactly happened.”

A neighborhood under scrutiny

North Avenue — a major thoroughfare lined with retail stores, fast food chains, and frequent cross-traffic — has long been the subject of safety discussions. Locals have repeatedly flagged concerns about pedestrian crossings, especially near high-traffic retail areas like Walmart and Safeway.

“That stretch of North is dangerous, especially at night,” said Kayla Jensen, a resident who lives a few blocks away. “People are always trying to cross mid-block because there just aren’t enough crosswalks.”

While the specific circumstances of Turner’s crossing are still under review, the incident is once again sparking calls for better lighting, more protected crosswalks, and lower speed limits in pedestrian-heavy zones.

A life remembered

Friends and family of Tammy Turner say she was a familiar and friendly face in the Grand Junction community. A retired office assistant and animal lover, she was known for helping neighbors, volunteering at a local shelter, and frequenting the nearby Walmart for everyday errands.

“Tammy was someone you’d always see with a smile,” said a friend who asked not to be named. “She loved her routines — walking, shopping, chatting with cashiers. It breaks my heart that something so normal ended like this.”

No public memorial details have yet been released by the family, but tributes have begun to appear online and at the site of the incident, where candles, flowers, and handwritten notes now mark the spot.

Broader safety concerns

Mesa County and the City of Grand Junction have been under increasing pressure to improve pedestrian safety, particularly in mixed-use areas where foot traffic and vehicle volume intersect at dangerous levels.

• In 2024, five pedestrians were struck on North Avenue alone.

• A 2023 audit by the Grand Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization identified North Ave. as one of the top corridors needing traffic calming measures.

• Proposed solutions have included better signal timing, mid-block pedestrian islands, and reduced speed zones during peak hours.

“It shouldn’t take another fatality to trigger real action,” said one city planner, speaking on background. “This was preventable.”

For now, the community is mourning — and waiting. An investigation into the July 15 incident is ongoing, and officials have not yet stated whether any additional safety recommendations or infrastructure changes will follow.