(I-70, Colorado) Colorado Highway Patrol are investigating a fatal wrong-way vehicle crash killing a teenage driver and another person on the I-70.
According to preliminary investigation, a 17-year-old boy was driving a Subaru while traveling east on the left bound lane of I-70 when he struck a GMC Yukon head-on driven by an 18-year-old female. The vehicle then struck a trailer that was hauled by a 2026 Peterbilt semi-truck.
Both drivers of the Subaru and the GMC Yukon were pronounced dead at the scene while the 35-year-old driver of the Peterbilt did not sustain any injuries in the crash.
The westbound lanes were shut down temporarily while investigation was taking place but has since been reopened. According to CSP, the crash is under investigation and the Garfield Coroner’s Office will soon release the names of the deceased individuals.
Legal Analysis on the I-70 Crash
Based on the information we can only assume what information is available. Because the 17-year old driver crashed head-on onto the other driver, investigators may want to identify if any impairment in vision was a factor to this collision. They may review (CRS) 42-2-112 whether the Department of Motor Vehicle ever seeked medical opinions to suspend the 17-year-old drivers license in the past. This code allows them to receive medical opinion from any physician, physician assistant, or optometrist in the state of Colorado to suspend, renew, revoke or cancel.
If the vehicle crash was because the 17-year-old driver was in the wrong lane, investigators may review (CRS) 42-4-1003 which requires drivers who are overtaking another driver in the same lane, must go into the left lane. If the 17-year-old proceeded to overtake the other driver going in the same direction and did not safely move left, he may have committed a class A traffic infraction.
Advice to the 18-Year-Old Family
It is important to receive emotional support from families and friends during this difficult tragedy because it is not easy losing a family member to sudden fatal collisions. If you are planning to file a wrongful death claim, getting into contact with a legal attorney that covers car accidents is strongly suggested.
If you have any concerns about navigating the legal process surrounding this incident? call 866-883-4318 to speak with a lawyer.
