Two separate crashes involving semi-trailer trucks shut down Interstate 70 near Glenwood Springs for nearly six hours on Monday, according to authorities.
And Monday night, Independence Pass was closed in both directions after a large truck overturned at mile-marker 50 after 10 p.m.
The Colorado State Patrol responded to assist the Glenwood Springs Police Department with a rolled over semi-truck accident on I-70 near milepost 114 in the city limits of Glenwood Springs. This accident caused a full road closure for all westbound traffic on I-70. As this accident was causing all westbound traffic to stop, a second accident occurred involving four semi-trucks inside the westbound tunnel at milepost 118, which is two miles east of Glenwood Springs in the Glenwood Canyon.
A 2007 Freightliner, CR England Inc./Walmart truck and trailer driven by Jimmy D. Maddox, 70, of Cheyenne, Wyo., and a 2007 Freightliner, Ryder Truck Rental/MBM truck and trailer driven by Timothy J. Sleyzak, 49, of Bailey, Colo., and a Kenworth, Systems Transport Inc. truck and trailer were all stopped in the right lane for the road closure. A 2008 Volvo, Carter Express Inc. truck and trailer driven by Ronald G. Crossno, 59, of Paragould, Ark., then entered the tunnel and drove into the rear of the stopped semi trucks, causing a chain reaction of all four semi trucks, which blocked both lanes of westbound I-70 inside the tunnel.
Two of the semi trucks had extensive damage and lost a majority of their engine fluids onto the roadway. Due to the hazmat spillage, both semi trucks had to be towed from the scene by Blain Ward Towing, according to the state patrol. The other two semi trucks were able to drive away from the scene. Because of the extensive damage and the hazmat spillage, westbound I-70 was again shut down for approximately six hours until the accident scene was cleaned up and the tunnel was safe to drive through.
This road closure caused all westbound traffic to be stopped and diverted onto the frontage roads and rest areas in Glenwood Canyon. It caused delays from Glenwood Canyon to the town of Eagle, which is approximately 29 miles of interstate.
Crossno was transported to the hospital with minor injuries and was later issued a citation for careless driving. No other injuries were reported.
First responders included the Colorado State Patrol, CDOT, Glenwood Springs Fire, Colorado State Patrol Hazmat and Ecos clean up company.
Article source: http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/153977
