The death toll has risen to six after the two separate semitrailer crashes on Interstate 25 on Monday.
Shortly before 1:31 p.m. on I-25 near mile marker 243 in Weld County, a four-vehicle crash took place in the northbound lanes, resulting in five fatalities from one vehicle and minor injuries to the driver of another vehicle. Three people were confirmed dead at the scene, Trooper Josh Lewis said.
According to Colorado State Patrol, investigators believe a Ford Edge, a Ford Focus and a Mitsubishi Outlander were in the left lane of I-25, slowed for traffic in the area. A Kenworth semitrailer, also northbound in the left lane, rear-ended the Ford Edge at an unknown speed. The Ford Edge was pushed off the left side of the roadway into the center median.
The semitrailer rear-ended the Ford Focus, pushing the Focus into the Mitsubishi, police said. Investigators believed the truck struck the Ford Edge a second time before the Kenworth hit the cable rail in the median, coming to a stop. I-25 was closed with traffic diverted at exit 243. The interstate remained closed as on scene personnel conducted the investigation, including the use of drones.
All of the occupants of the Ford Edge were from Gillette, Wyo. Among the deceased were a 20-year-old male driver, 3-month-old girl, a 20-year-old woman, a 47-year-old woman and a 51-year-old man.
The 45-year-old male driver from Greely in the Ford Focus sustained minor injuries and was transported to the Medical Center of the Rockies. The drivers and passengers in the other two vehicles were not injured.
Second fatal crash
At 2:22 p.m. on I-25 near mile marker 235 northbound, a three-vehicle crash resulting in one fatality took place. A 2021 Kawasaki motorcycle was northbound in the left lane.
The rider of the motorcycle, a 30-year-old Northglenn male, was declared deceased at the scene.
Six deaths have now been confirmed as a result of both crashes, according to Colorado State Patrol.
Investigators are requesting anyone that has not yet contacted law enforcement but is a witness, has information, or dash cam footage related to the motorcycle and semi crash to please reach out. Witnesses may call Colorado State Patrol Sgt. Winsett at 970-506-4999 or dispatch at 303-239-4501
