Executive Summary
- A CDOT snowplow lost control on westbound I-70, crossing the median into eastbound traffic.
- The plow struck a van carrying a youth hockey team, killing the driver and injuring eight passengers.
- The crash occurred near the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel and involved two other passenger vehicles.
- The Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit is leading the ongoing investigation.
A preliminary investigation by the Colorado State Patrol indicates that a Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) snowplow caused a fatal multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 70 after losing control and crossing the highway median. The crash, which occurred Thursday morning near the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel, resulted in the death of a van driver transporting a California hockey team and left eight other occupants injured.
According to the State Patrol’s report, the incident began around 8:53 a.m. when the westbound plow truck lost control, breached the cable rail in the median, and entered the eastbound lanes. Investigators state that the plow initially struck an eastbound Toyota Tacoma, forcing that vehicle across the median where it collided with a westbound BMW.
Following the initial impact, the plow reportedly continued moving east against traffic, striking a sprinter van carrying ten people. Authorities confirmed the van traveled down an embankment upon impact, coming to rest on its side. The driver of the van was pronounced dead at the scene.
Emergency responders transported three adults and four juveniles to local hospitals via ambulance, while one juvenile was airlifted to a trauma center. The severity of their injuries has not been publicly released. Occupants of the Toyota and BMW reportedly sustained no injuries.
Investigative Outlook
The involvement of the Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit signals a rigorous examination of the circumstances leading to the loss of control by the heavy equipment operator. Investigators will likely focus on mechanical integrity, operator protocols, and road conditions at the time of the incident to determine the precise cause of the crash. While the investigation remains in its preliminary stages, the findings will be critical in assessing liability and reviewing safety standards for CDOT operations near high-traffic mountain corridors.
