Colorado — A heartbreaking crash along Interstate 70, about 75 miles east of Denver, claimed the lives of three family members from Montana, including two children, according to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP).
The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 2, when a 2021 blue Subaru Forester rear-ended a semi-truck hauling a trailer. The crash violently tore off the vehicle’s passenger side and caused the car to flip and land upside down.
Victims Were Traveling to a Funeral in Arkansas
Inside the Subaru was a family traveling to Arkansas for the funeral of the driver’s mother, a witness reported. Authorities identified the deceased as a 47-year-old woman, a 13-year-old girl, and a 10-year-old boy — all pronounced dead at the scene.
The 62-year-old driver, who survived the crash, was taken to a nearby hospital and is currently in stable condition.
The semi-truck driver was unharmed.
Witness Recalls the Aftermath: “He Lost His Family”
Eyewitness John Andazola described the scene as devastating.
“I feel bad for the gentleman. He lost his family,” Andazola said. “The top of the vehicle was sheared off, and it was upside down. He couldn’t comprehend… clearly, there was trauma.”
Andazola added that he and others moved the driver away from the wreckage to spare him the sight of his loved ones.
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Road Closure and Investigation
The eastbound lanes of I-70 were closed until 8 p.m. Wednesday as emergency crews cleared the scene and began investigations.
CSP Trooper Sherri Mendez confirmed that the crash remains under investigation, and the cause has not been fully determined. Seatbelt malfunction and vehicle damage are being closely examined.
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Keep the family in your prayers as they face unimaginable loss
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