Wrong-Way Driver Killed in Fiery Head-On Crash on I-70 Near Utah Border

Description: A wrong-way driver died and at least five people, including two minors, were hospitalized after a fiery head-on crash on I-70 near the Utah border...

**Update** Fatal Head-On Crash On I-70 Near Utah Border

The road was opened around 4:37 p.m.

(Mesa County, COLO) – The ongoing investigation of the fatal crash on Interstate 70 at milepost 4 shows a Subaru Outback was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes on Interstate 70, while a Ford F-150 was traveling westbound, approaching the same location. The Outback front struck the front of the F-150, causing the Outback to rotate and go down the embankment off of the westbound left shoulder, where it rolled onto its driver's side and caught fire. After impact, the F-150 began to rotate and came to rest in the middle of the westbound lanes of travel.

The driver of the Outback, a 32-year-old female from Colorado Springs, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the F-150, a 40-year-old male from Thornton, was transported to an area hospital for serious injuries. The front passenger of the F-150, a 32-year-old female from Thornton, was transported to an area hospital for serious injuries. A second passenger of the F-150, an unknown age and gender from Thornton, was transported to an area hospital for serious injuries. A third passenger, an unknown age and gender from Thornton, was transported to an area hospital for serious injuries. A fourth passenger, a 13-year-old unknown gender from Thornton, was transported to an area hospital for serious injuries. A fifth passenger, a 10-year-old female from Thornton, was transported to an area hospital for serious injuries.

This investigation is ongoing. The Mesa County Coroner's Office will identify the deceased driver once proper next-of-kin notifications have been made. The road was reopened around 4:37 p.m.

This crash is being investigated by the Colorado State Patrol's Vehicular Crimes Unit. If you witnessed the crash or have any information and have not spoken to investigators, please contact the Colorado State Patrol Dispatch at (970) 249-4392 and reference case number VC260239. Be prepared to leave your contact information for an investigator to return your call.

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Fatal Head-On Crash On I-70 Near Utah Border

Colorado State Patrol is leading the investigation

(MESA COUNTY, COLO) - On July 20, 2026, at approximately 11:36 a.m., the Colorado State Patrol responded to a REDDI report involving a gray sedan traveling at a high rate of speed heading eastbound in the westbound lanes on I-70, passing Rabbit Valley, just west of Loma, CO.

At approximately 11:41 a.m., the Colorado State Patrol responded to a head-on crash involving a tan Subaru Outback and a white Ford F150 on I-70 at milepost 4.

The Subaru Outback became engulfed in flames.

Preliminary investigation indicates there were at least 5 occupants in the Ford F150. All of the occupants, including two minors, were transported to a local area hospital. The extent of injury for all occupants is unknown at this time.

There were also initial reports of a trapped party; however, it is unknown at this time which vehicle that individual was associated with.

The driver of the Subaru was pronounced dead on scene. The identity of the driver will be released by the Mesa County Coroner once next of kin has been notified.

Westbound I-70 is closed near milepost 4. It is unknown when the roadway will reopen. Choose an alternate route. Traffic is being diverted onto Highway 6/Highway 139 at milepost 15. Check COtrip.org for traffic updates.

The Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit is the lead agency for the crash. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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