A Durango man died March 14 after driving off U.S. Highway 550 south of Durango.
William “Willy” Frownfelter III, 31, was driving a Subaru Outback north on Bondad Hill, near mile marker 5, about 8:50 p.m. when he failed to negotiate a right-hand curve and went off the left side of the road, said Gabriel Moletrer, spokesman with the Colorado State Patrol.
“The Subaru traveled across a pullout and off a steep embankment, and began overturning an unknown number of times before coming to rest on its wheels facing north,” he said.
He said Frownfelter was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle when it crashed. No other vehicles were involved.
CSP was not immediately sure what caused the crash.
La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith said Frownfelter suffered blunt trauma to the head, neck and chest. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
According to rememberingwilly.com, a tribute website set up in memory of Frownfelter, he was an artist, athlete, brother, son and uncle. He enjoyed basketball, hockey, soccer, golf and extreme skiing.
“Willy’s true love in life, however, was his art,” the website said.
Frownfelter’s father, Bill Frownfelter, said his son created several murals around Durango, including at Hillcrest Golf Course and the Hive Durango, as well as a sign for the Tangled Horn bar. Frownfelter also made treenets with TreeNet Willy, a business that took him all over the world.
“We’ve had a lot of support in the community,” Bill Frownfelter said.
Dozens of people wrote messages on the website, remembering their time with him and expressing their sorrow at his passing. In one post, Frownfelter’s father said he was touched by the outpouring of love for his son.
“My wonderful son. If I had only truly understood the breadth of the impact and love you had spread during your life while you lived,” Bill Frownfelter wrote on the site. “The world has lost a truly remarkable human being and I am so proud of you. I was privileged to have experienced your love for 31 years. I will truly miss your love and your smile for the rest of my life.”
A celebration of life for Frownfelter will be held at 11 a.m. May 16. A location had not been decided as of Thursday.
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
