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Man Dies Getting Off RTD Bus, Stops Are Still Snow-Packed

DENVER (CBS4) - The lasting snow and ice is making it tough to get around many sidewalks and many Regional Transportation District passengers have had problems getting on and off buses.

Denver police are investigating a deadly accident involving a pedestrian and an RTD bus that happened Tuesday at West Colfax Avenue and Mariposa Street. Mario Castro, 60, had stepped off the bus and was trying to use it to keep his balance in snow. He slipped and the rear wheels of the bus ran over him.

Investigators say they haven't determined if there should be charges.

Cicley Simpson got off the bus at Yale and Clairmont on Tuesday and realized she had nowhere to go.

"You pay $2.25 to get on the bus and you can't get off," Simpson said.

After gingerly negotiating a mound of snow at the bus stop, Simpson sounded off.

"It's terrible. I actually maneuvered away, tried to figure it out," she said. "It's up to my knees almost in some places. It's been a long day."

Several feet of snow across the metro area along with freezing temperatures have left many bus stops and suburban roads close to impassible.

Scott Reed with RTD says the company is doing the best it can.

"We have an eight county area with 10,000 bus stops over 2,400 square miles. It's a very difficult task," Reed said.

Reed says bus stops with no shelters are the responsibility of the property owner. Homeowners are responsible for clearing their own sidewalks and walkways.

City crews from Denver to Highlands Ranch have hit suburban neighborhoods to no avail.

"This street looks like it hasn't been touched. It was touched on Saturday four or five times," resident Jim Atkins said. "They've actually done a pretty good job, but I think right now it's a little overwhelming."

Some areas are so snow-packed pedestrians have to walk in the street.

Douglas County Schools sent a note home asking students who walk to school to use caution.

After the record blast from Mother Nature, Joyce Phillips, 66, grabbed her groceries and boarded the bus and asked the million dollar question:

"I'm a senior citizen and I go out and clean my walks. Why can't these people do it?" Phillips said.

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