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Fatal Semi-Truck Crash on Highway 160 Near Wolf Creek Pass Under Investigation by Colorado State Patrol
Description: A semi-truck crashed off Wolf Creek Pass on Highway 160 near Pagosa Springs, killing the driver. Colorado State Patrol is investigating the fatal crash. Read the Full Incident Report from the Colorado State Patrol in this article... Full Photo Gallery Below...
Semi Goes Off the Side of Wolf Creek Pass
(Mineral County, COLO) - At approximately 08:21 a.m. today, the Colorado State Patrol responded to a crash involving a single commercial motor vehicle that went off the side of the highway and down the mountainside on Highway 160, 17 miles north of Pagosa Springs, before the scenic overlook.
A 2020 Freightliner, hauling a trailer with canned drinks, was southbound on Hwy 160 near milepost 161. The Freightliner hit the barrier wall on the right side and bounced off. The semi rolled through the guardrail on the left side of the roadway down a steep embankment. Both the cab and trailer were destroyed rolling down the mountain.
The driver, a 23-year-old male from New York, was not immediately located amid the large debris scene down the mountain. He was later found and was pronounced dead; it was confirmed that he had been ejected from the cab.
The semi’s trailer split open prior to rolling down the side of the mountain and spilled its cargo on the roadway. CDOT used a plow to clear the roadway of the cargo and debris. There is no road closure at this time.
The initial investigation revealed that the semi was traveling at an excessive speed, with smoke coming from the brakes, and that the driver failed to take the runaway truck ramp 1.5 miles before the crash.
An extended recovery is expected as crews work to recover the semi and trailer. The Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit will be handling the investigation. CDOT and the Colorado State Patrol Hazmat Unit are on site assisting with clean up.
Motorists are advised to visit the website COtrip.org to seek alternate routes and get information on possible delays.
Photos by Mike Blanchard
