Deadly Crash Causes Fire, Closes I-70 At Vail Pass For Hours
VAIL, Colo. (CBS4)- Eastbound I-70 was closed for hours on Thursday evening due to a crash on Vail Pass after a semi lost control. All lanes reopened at 9:25 p.m. Thursday but were expected to be closed again at 9:30 a.m. Friday for four to six hours for recovery efforts.
The semi was traveling downhill in the westbound lanes, lost control, crossed all eastbound lanes and crashed into the side of the mountain. That crash ignited a fire.
The Colorado Department of Transportation camera showed a cloud of smoke billowing from trees several yards off the highway at the scene of the crash.
upd MAJOR CRASH:EB I-70 Vail Pass,Safety Closure moved to MM 176;No est time of opening,alt rtes advised
— Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (@ColoradoDOT) September 21, 2017
CDOT first notified travelers of the eastbound closure at 5:35 p.m.
A separate crash in the westbound lanes re-opened that direction of traffic at 5:50 p.m.
What the semi was hauling is unknown.
The driver was killed.
Crews will close eastbound lanes again at 9:30 a.m. Friday for four to six hours for recovery efforts.