Colorado police say that a semi truck driver has been issued multiple charges following a crash on Vail Pass that left five people hospitalized.
The crash occurred around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, on westbound I-70 near mile marker 182, according to a news release from the Colorado State Patrol.
#BREAKING Interstate 70 westbound is closed over #VailPass due to large incident at MP 182. Multiple cars, semi, and RV involved in crash. Several reported injuries. Alt route advised!! #cotraffic pic.twitter.com/5uGvO1upcx
— CSP Eagle (@CSP_Eagle) July 27, 2019
Police say that 48 year old Michigan-based truck driver Keith Thompson collided with a Ford Explorer towing a camper trailer. This crash caused the Ford Explorer to hit a Jeep Cherokee and sent both vehicles crashing off of I-70.
The Ford Explorer rolled several times before coming to a stop.
Thompson used a runaway truck ramp to bring his vehicle to a stop after the crash, police say.
There was a very bad wreck on #VailPass today involving several vehicles and children were among those who were hurt. @CBSDenver UReporter Kelly Kemper shares a photo from the crash scene and asks for prayers for those involved. https://t.co/jvLvHzlM5g pic.twitter.com/cDTc7qScgx
— Matt Kroschel (@Matt_Kroschel) July 27, 2019
All five occupants of the Ford Explorer including three children were taken to the hospital. The Colorado State Patrol says that two of the children are listed in critical condition. The other three people are listed in stable condition.
Thompson and the Jeep driver were not hurt.
Multiple agencies responded to the crash, including the Vail Fire and Emergency Services, Eagle County Paramedics Services, Vail Police Department, Colorado Department of Transportation, and the Colorado State Patrol.
Following the crash, Thompson has been charged with five counts of careless driving causing injury.
I-70 westbound at Vail Pass terrible accident been shut down for hrs. @DenverChannel we biked past it from up above, feel free to use these in your story. Heart goes out to those in hospital! 🙏 https://t.co/JHrCNFPdAA pic.twitter.com/SISbS2bSM0
— David Spector (@dspector) July 27, 2019
The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but police say that speed or brake failure could have been factors.