Former Gunnison mayor killed in motorcycle crash
Times Editor
Originally published 2012-10-18



A former Gunnison mayor and longtime local business owner was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident Sunday along Hwy. 135.

Rick Miller, 55, was traveling north on a 2002 chopper-style motorcycle with his wife Tracey, 47, riding as a passenger when the accident occurred about 1:30 p.m. Rick and Tracey are the longtime proprietors of Miller Furniture in Gunnison.

The couple was being followed by a Harley Davidson motorcycle ridden by Rick's son, Miah Miller, 34, of Gunnison, and Ashley Sexton, 29, of San Pedro, Calif.

Nate Reid of the Colorado State Patrol said that a few miles south of Crested Butte, the motorcycle driven by Rick Miller began to make an "abrupt u-turn" for unknown reasons and in doing so there was a collision between it and the Harley Davidson.

Rick Miller was transported to Gunnison Valley Hospital (GVH), where he was pronounced dead. He was not wearing a helmet, said Reid.

Reid said that Tracey and Miah Miller both were transported to GVH with serious injuries. Reid said Miah Miller was not wearing a helmet, but Tracey Miller was wearing one.

Sexton was also transported to GVH with minor injuries. She was wearing a helmet, said Reid.

The conditions of those involved in the accident were not known early Monday.