Driver charged with operating a commercial vehicle while unqualified in crash on Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado troopers say
The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) said charges have been issued following a serious semi truck crash on Wolf Creek Pass on Monday.
CSP responded to the crash at 12:19 a.m. on May 25, 2026, on Highway 160 at mile marker 161.
“The 2012 Volvo Tractor semi was traveling downhill, west on Highway 160 near mile marker 161. The semi was unable to slow down and struck a rock wall on the right shoulder. The vehicle continued westbound against the rock wall for approximately 166 feet before overturning onto its passenger side and coming to rest 14 feet off the west shoulder,” CSP told CDLLife in an emailed statement.
Both the driver and a passenger in the semi truck suffered minor injuries.
Troopers said that the semi truck was believed to have been part of a circus group.
The driver of the semi truck, Jam Garner Morales, 31, of Texas, was charged with “Drove Commercial Vehicle (When Not Qualified or Without CDL),” “Careless Driving Caused Bodily Injury,” and “Failed to Present Evidence of Insurance Upon Request.”
The crash resulted in a diesel fuel leak of approximately 50 gallons.
The crash occurred near one of the two runaway truck ramps on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass. The ramps are located along Highway 160 at mile markers 162.5 and 161.
See below for tips from the Colorado Department of Transportation on how truckers can descend Wolf Creek Pass safely.
- Check brakes before descending the pass.
- Maintain a low speed, in low gear. Use flashers to warn other vehicles of the truck’s low speed.
- Do not “ride” the truck’s brakes. This will cause overheating and possible loss of the brake system.
- Jake Brakes (or compression brakes) can be a useful braking mechanism to help control the speed of a heavy truck. However, the best practice is to remain in low gears to avoid overheating.
- Keep brakes cool by pulling into brake stations or onto the shoulder of the road, if a safe spot can be located.