Local
19-year-old passenger killed in I-70 collision near Byers during semitruck recovery
A pickup struck a Colorado State Patrol vehicle and a semitrailer on westbound I-70 near Byers on Wednesday morning, killing a 19-year-old passenger. The collision happened as crews were removing a semitruck from an earlier crash scene, and the State Patrol’s Vehicular Crimes Unit is investigating.
A 19-year-old man died after a pickup truck crashed into a Colorado State Patrol vehicle and a semitrailer on westbound Interstate 70 near Byers on Wednesday morning, state authorities said.
The crash happened around 6:45 a.m. near milepost 321, east of Byers, while a trooper was assisting with the removal of a semitruck that had crashed in the center median. The trooper’s vehicle was partially blocking the left lane as tow trucks worked, according to the State Patrol.
An 18-year-old man driving a Ford F-150 westbound lost control, struck the passenger side of the patrol vehicle, crossed into the center median and hit a guardrail, the agency said. The truck then collided with the rear driver’s side of the semitrailer.
The pickup’s driver was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. His 19-year-old passenger was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries and later died. The trooper was also taken to a hospital for a precautionary evaluation.
The State Patrol’s Vehicular Crimes Unit is investigating. The left lane remained closed as of 10:30 a.m. Wednesday while crews worked at the scene.