Update: CDOT plow truck lost control in I-70 crash involving hockey team van that killed driver, injured 8, officials say

Loveland Pass, I-70 open again following closures

Summit Daily staff report
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Colorado State Patrol responded to a fatal crash on eastbound Interstate 70 shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday morning.
Colorado State Patrol/Courtesy photo

4:28 p.m.: Loveland Pass and Interstate 70 eastbound from Exit 205 to Exit 218 are reopened to traffic.

3:40 p.m.: Preliminary information from a Colorado State Patrol investigation shows that the CDOT plow truck was traveling westbound on Interstate 70 when the driver lost control. The plow truck traveled through the median, breaking through the cable rail and entering into the eastbound lanes. It then collided with a Toyota Tacoma that was traveling eastbound.

Following impact, the Toyota went through the median and struck a BMW traveling the westbound lanes. The plow continued eastbound and struck a sprinter van carrying a hockey team from California that was traveling in the eastbound lanes, resulting in the sprinter van going down an embankment. The CDOT plow came to rest on the shoulder.



The status of the seven passengers from the sprinter van who were transported from the scene earlier this morning is unknown, according to the Colorado State Patrol. The Colorado State Patrol Victim’s Advocate team has been deployed to support all passengers in the sprinter van.

There are no known reports of injuries to the occupants of the other involved vehicles.

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The crash remains under investigation by the Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit.

12:40 p.m.: According to Colorado State Patrol, there were 10 total occupants in the sprinter van. One juvenile was transported by medical helicopter to an area trauma center with critical injuries, one adult male refused to be transported to the hospital and the driver of the sprinter van was declared dead at the scene.

Seven passengers, including four juveniles, were transported by ground ambulance to an area hospital, according to Colorado State Patrol.

No other involved parties were transported from the scene. Colorado State Patrol said in a recent news release that they will continue to provide updates.

I-70 closures due to the crash as of 12:48 p.m. included the eastbound lane between Exit 203 at Frisco and Exit 205 at Silvethorne, and the eastbound lane between Exit 218 at Herman Gulch and Exit 221 at Bakerville, according to CoTrip.org. Loveland Pass is now closed as well due to safety concerns, according to CoTrip.org. Hazmat vehicles are to stage at Eisenhower Tunnel and will be run at the top of the hour or as traffic allows.

11:15 a.m.: The Colorado State Patrol responded to a fatal crash this morning around 8:53 a.m. on eastbound Interstate 70 at mile point 218, involving a snow plow, a sprinter van carrying a hockey team from California and two additional passenger vehicles.

Initial reports indicate the driver of the sprinter van was declared dead at the scene. Additionally, eight people, including five juveniles and three adults, were transported by ground ambulance to a local area hospital. According to the Colorado State Patrol, two other involved vehicles with no injuries remain on scene.

The identity of the deceased will be released by the Clear Creek County Coroner. The Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit is investigating this crash, and plan to release further information as it becomes available.

Eastbound I-70 at mile point 216 was closed at 9:10 a.m., and was later extended to Exit 205 near Silverthorne.

It is unknown when the eastbound interstate will reopen. Drivers are urged to use alternate routes and check COtrip.org for the latest traffic delays or roadway closures. 

Officials at the scene are discouraging the use of Loveland Pass at this time due to “extreme weather conditions.”

Traffic around mile point 220.45 is pictured. Agencies are currently responding to a crash at mile point 218.6
Colorado Department of Transportation/Courtesy photo

10:45 a.m.: Eastbound Interstate 70 is closed at Silverthorne, or Exit 205, due to a crash, according to the COTrip.

Colorado State Patrol responded to the crash near mile point 218 around 8:53 a.m., east of the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

This story is from SummitDaily.com.

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