The publisher and editor of The Mountain Mail newspaper in Salida is listed in stable condition today after colliding on his bicycle Tuesday with a van that turned in front of him.
Merle Baranczyk, 60, was riding his bike eastbound on Highway 50 near Salida around 8:30 a.m., Tuesday, when an eastbound van turned in front of him. Baranczyk crashed into the right front panel of the van and suffered head injuries and broken bones. He was airlifted to St. Anthony’s Central Hospital in Denver.
After surgery Tuesday night, he is listed in stable condition today.
The 1997 Ford Aerostar van was driven by Douglas Rausch, 61, of Salida.
Baranczyk and his wife, Mary, bought the 100-year-old newspaper in 1978 when it was near closing because of the poor economy in the former railroad town. Salida has 5,500 residents.
Staff writer Mike McPhee can be reached at mmcphee@denverpost.com or by calling 303-954-1409.
