1 Killed In Snowy Conditions On U.S. 285, Eastern Plains Also Hit Hard
DENVER (AP/CBS4) - Blowing and drifting snow is moving across the northeast Colorado plains and causing a lot of problems for drivers, and multiple crashes on U.S. 285, including a fatality, have closed down the highway.
Snowy conditions were to blame for a pedestrian death on Highway 285 Saturday afternoon. According to the Colorado State Patrol, a man driving a pickup truck stopped to help another driver and was struck by another vehicle while he was outside of his truck. (UPDATE: Off-Duty Jefferson County Sergeant Killed On Snowy U.S. 285)
Another crash on 285 involved a serious injury but no other details have been released.
The highway had to be closed in both directions 3 miles north of Conifer because of the accidents. There was no time estimate for the road to reopen.
The Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District posted photos of multiple accidents along U.S. 285 on their Twitter account.
The National Weather Service said Saturday visibility will drop as the wind picks up, causing whiteout conditions.
Snow along the Eastern Plains is expected to end by midnight with up to four inches of new powder.
The drive along Interstate 70 west of Denver will also be snowy at times. The interstate has been closed in both directions from Limon to the Kansas border.
The heaviest snow will fall around the Flattops and Park and Elkhead Mountains, where accumulations could hit 4 to 8 inches.
CBS4 viewer Ryan Adams said he saw approximately 20 vehicles that had gone off the road on his commute from Brush to Denver Saturday afternoon, including a car that was on fire.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)