3 killed in semi rollover, crash that closed lanes on I-70 near Ward Road northwest of Denver

Three people were killed and others were injured in a semi rollover and multi-vehicle crash that happened in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 at Ward Road on Thursday morning. Traffic in both directions on I-70 was impacted by the lane closures. 

The crash happened at 8:20 a.m. Thursday, the semi and several other vehicles were involved -- seven vehicles in total. Three people were killed and two others, all in one vehicle, were injured in the crash. 

The semi driver was also injured in the crash.

CBS News Colorado's helicopter flew over the scene about a half hour after the crash happened. There was a semi on its side with dozens of what appeared to be blue pipes spilled onto lanes of I-70.

On Friday, Wheat Ridge police said that debris from the semi-truck's load spanned more than two football fields across both lanes of I-70.

"There were nearly 100 large blue plastic tubes that weighed roughly 500 lbs. each," the department said in a statement.

What led up to the crash is being investigated and Wheat Ridge police say that investigation is "incredibly complicated" and will likely take several weeks. It's working with the First Judicial District Attorney's Office to see if anyone will be charged in connection with the crash.

Wheat Ridge police said Friday afternoon that the three injured people have been treated at the hospital and released.

Westbound I-70 reopened at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, while eastbound lanes opened around 4:10 p.m.

Wheat Ridge police are asking victims of the crash who are looking for support and trauma services to reach out to Victim Outreach Inc. at (303) 202-2196.

"Our hearts go out to the families that have been impacted by the tragic loss of life yesterday," Wheat Ridge police said. "They have the full support of our department and our partners at VOI."