Separate Crashes Involving Semis Snarl Traffic On I-25 & I-70

DENVER (CBS4) - Two accidents involving semi-trucks snarled traffic on two of Denver's major interstates Tuesday morning.

The Colorado Department of Transportation said northbound Interstate 25 needed to be closed just after 10 a.m. due to a three-vehicle crash near downtown Denver. A semi landed on top of a car and a pickup truck had its door torn off.

The highway was reopened after being closed about 2 hours. No serious injuries were reported.

Just before 8 a.m. there was a three-vehicle crash on westbound I-70 at Airport Boulevard.

According to Sgt. Mark Elliot with Aurora police, a semi-truck traveling westbound failed to recognize traffic congestion and rear-ended a pickup truck.

"The impact was great enough to force the pickup truck into the back of another semi-trailer which was in front of it," Elliot said in a statement.

The driver of the pickup sustained critical injuries but is expected to survive. Both semi drivers were also hospitalized with minor injuries.

The crash forced westbound I-70 to close for 2 1/2 hours.

CDOT also reportedly closed I-70 in western Colorado near Minturn due to an accident.