COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – A series of deadly crashes across Colorado over the weekend left eight people dead and several others seriously injured. The accidents, which occurred from Friday to Sunday, were largely attributed to hazardous winter storm conditions, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
Troopers responded to multiple deadly crashes spanning Elbert, Park, Adams, Archuleta, Garfield, and Colorado Springs counties. The stormy weather made driving difficult, creating treacherous road conditions that contributed to the crashes.
Friday’s Fatalities
On Friday, two crashes were reported, one in Elbert County and another in Park County.
In Elbert County, a Ford Explorer collided head-on with a Freightliner semi truck while attempting to pass a Peterbilt truck on Highway 86. Troopers said the Ford was pushing the Freightliner into the side of the Peterbilt when the crash occurred. The driver of the Ford, a woman, died at the scene, while the Freightliner driver was hospitalized with injuries.
Later in Park County, a single-vehicle crash occurred on Highway 9, where a Kia Sorento lost control and rolled over. The driver, a woman, was wearing her seatbelt, but despite being rescued from the wreckage and rushed to the hospital, she later succumbed to her injuries.
Saturday’s Tragedies
Saturday saw further deadly crashes in Adams, Archuleta, and Garfield counties.
In Adams County, troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on Highway 79 around 8 a.m. The driver of a Chevy 1500 lost control of the vehicle, which rolled multiple times before coming to rest on its roof. The driver, a man, was declared dead at the scene.
In Archuleta County, a two-vehicle crash on Highway 84 near Pagosa Springs took a tragic toll. A 2021 Ford F250 crossed into the southbound lane and collided with a 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The driver of the Trailblazer died at the scene, and a child passenger was rushed to the hospital, where they also succumbed to their injuries. The Ford driver was also hospitalized with moderate injuries, while the other passenger in the Trailblazer sustained serious injuries.
A fatal two-vehicle crash occurred later in Garfield County when a Toyota Camry lost control on Highway 82 near Glenwood Springs. The car, rotating counterclockwise, collided with an oncoming 2025 Toyota Camry. The driver of the older Camry died at the scene.
Sunday’s Deadly Crashes
The string of deadly accidents continued on Sunday, with two more crashes, one near Fort Carson and another in Adams County.
Around 6:24 a.m. near Fort Carson, a two-vehicle and pedestrian crash occurred on southbound I-25. A 2018 Volvo VNL, hauling a trailer, lost control and struck a Dodge Ram 2500 that was parked on the shoulder. The collision caused the Ram to strike its driver, a man who was out of the vehicle, before the truck rolled off the right side of the road. The pedestrian was later transported to a hospital, where he died. This incident is being investigated by the Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit.
In Adams County, a fatal crash unfolded just before 8 a.m. on Highway 36 at Pecos Street. A driver of a 2022 Toyota Corolla pulled over to the right shoulder to clean his windshield. Shortly after, the driver of a silver Toyota Rav4 also stopped to do the same. However, the Rav4 driver struck the Corolla, throwing the driver into the middle lane, where he was hit again by another Rav4. The driver of the Corolla was taken to the hospital but was later declared dead. The driver of the silver Rav4 was arrested for careless driving.
Ongoing Investigations
The Colorado State Patrol has urged drivers to remain cautious, especially in adverse weather conditions, and continue to exercise extreme care when driving in winter storms. The accidents remain under investigation, and the Colorado State Patrol’s Vehicular Crimes Unit is handling the fatal crash near Fort Carson.
With icy roads and low visibility being significant factors, state authorities are emphasizing the importance of adhering to speed limits, using proper vehicle equipment, and driving carefully during the ongoing winter storm season.
