MESA COUNTY, CO — State patrol investigators have released new details regarding Monday’s fatal crash on Interstate 70 near the Utah border, confirming that six people suffered serious injuries and the highway has since reopened.
According to updated information from the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), the collision occurred around 11:41 a.m. at milepost 4, shortly after dispatch received REDDI reports of a wrong-way driver passing Rabbit Valley.
Investigators determined that a tan Subaru Outback was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes when it struck the front of a westbound white Ford F-150 head-on. The impact sent the Subaru down an embankment off the left shoulder, where it rolled onto its driver’s side and caught fire. The F-150 rotated and came to rest in the middle of the westbound lanes.
Casualties and Hospitalizations
- Deceased: The driver of the Subaru, a 32-year-old female from Colorado Springs, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin by the Mesa County Coroner’s Office.
- Injured: All six occupants of the Ford F-150—all residents of Thornton, Colorado—were transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. They include:
- A 40-year-old male driver
- A 32-year-old female front passenger
- A 13-year-old passenger
- A 10-year-old female passenger
- Two additional passengers of undisclosed ages and genders
Roadway Reopened & Investigation Contact
Westbound Interstate 70 was closed for several hours while emergency crews cleared the scene and conducted an initial investigation. The roadway was officially reopened at approximately 4:37 p.m.
The crash remains under active investigation by the Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit. Any witnesses or individuals with information who have not yet spoken to officers are asked to call CSP Dispatch at (970) 249-4392 and reference case number VC260239.
Photos provided by Colorado State Patrol
This article is related to a previous incident: Vehicle Crash, Mile 4 on I-70