1 killed after semi crash on US 285, highway reopens after 14 hours

Editor’s Note: The photo caption in this story has been updated to correctly identify the roadway involved and the agency that released the photo.

DENVER (KDVR) — U.S. 285 reopened Wednesday morning, more than 14 hours after a semitruck driver crashed into five other vehicles, killing one person and hurting another during the Tuesday afternoon rush hour.

On Wednesday, Colorado State Patrol clarified details about what happened. Investigators said the semi driver was traveling southbound around 5 p.m. Tuesday and side-swiped five other southbound vehicles while trying to pass them. The big rig ended up jack-knifed across the highway, and its load of pipe and angle iron eventually came loose.

Along with the one death, a second person suffered serious injuries. The semi driver was not hurt. CSP said the truck, its load and the other vehicles involved in the crash blocked U.S. 285 in both directions, causing the extensive closure.

A witness told FOX31 the truck was barreling down the highway before the crash.

“He was going way faster than the rest of traffic and he had his hazards on, and you could hear his engine just roaring as he tried to slow down. And the people were getting out of his way, and he was obviously doing his best to avoid other cars and other people,” Matt Olson told FOX31’s Shaul Turner.

Second semi spills load on detour road

Following the closure of the main highway, drivers were asked to use Elk Creek Road and Foxton Road as a detour, but a second incident caused a slowdown.

At around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office tweeted about another semi that spilled its load on Foxton Road , leaving the detour down to a single lane. The sheriff’s office said no one was injured in that crash.

Because of Foxton Road’s narrow road and sharp curves, semi drivers were asked to avoid the road.

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