Friend remembers Ex-Air Force Two pilot, father, cyclist killed when hit by SUV

LARKSPUR, Colorado  

A 46-year-old Air Force pilot was killed Sunday evening after troopers say he was hit by a Jeep on a state highway east of Monument. 

Lt. Col., Michael Joyal was riding his bicycle south on Colo. 83 when he was hit around 8:15 p.m. by a 2004 Jeep Wrangler that was also going south, said Trooper Nate Reid, a Colorado State Patrol spokesman.

Joyal died at the scene of the crash, which was just north of the El Paso County line.

A family friend, Lt. Col. Jason Brenneman, said Joyal was married with two children.

"He was a fantastic officer, a wonderful pilot and tremendous husband and father," he said.

Troopers suspect Sjvorne Chapman, 37, of Peyton, was driving the Jeep.

She was booked into the Douglas County jail on suspicion of vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and reckless driving, Reid said.

According to Joyal's LinkedIn Profile, he was a graduate of the Air Force Academy and retired from the Air Force in 2010 after a successful career as a pilot and intelligence officer.

His career included a five year stint flying Air Force Two -- the plane for the vice president of the United States -- and he flew in 114 countries and six U.S. territories. He logged more than 5,000 flight hours.

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