Tractor-trailer takes out 160 feet of guardrail on I-70 in Vail
Courtesy image/Vai lPolice
A tractor-trailer headed eastbound on I-70 in Vail Sunday morning struck and dragged approximately 160 feet of guardrail before impacting a second guardrail, Vail Police reported this week.
The damage to the guardrail was estimated by the Colorado Department of Transportation as likely to be in excess of $10,000, said Police Chief Ryan Kenney.
Vail Police responded at approximately 6:40 a.m., along with Vail Fire, CDOT, Vail Public Works and Vail Code Enforcement officers, who assisted with scene safety and traffic control.
“The driver, Ruben Mnatsakanyan, initially stated his trailer slid after braking but later advised another officer that he braked to avoid a vehicle that entered his lane while traveling approximately 55 MPH,” Kenney said in an email on Thursday. “He denied injuries and declined medical attention. Due to observations and inconsistent statements, standardized field sobriety testing was conducted; no indicators of impairment were observed.”
Kenney said Mnatsakanyan was issued a summons for careless driving based on the totality of circumstances and evidence that Mnatsakanyan “failed to operate with due regard for roadway conditions and traffic,” Kenney said.
