Authorities are still looking for the reason that a pickup truck veered into oncoming traffic on I-70 near Morrison and smashed into several vehicles yesterday, leaving two people dead and snarling traffic for hours.
Colorado State Patrol trooper Nate Reed says the pickup truck, driven by 54-year-old Jeffery Stumpf of Evergreen was headed westbound on 70 when it somehow strayed into the eastbound lanes.
52-year-old Jodie Stewart of Idaho Springs, whose SUV was the first vehicle hit by Stumpf, died at the scene. Stumpf himself was rushed to St. Anthony’s hospital in Lakewood, but later died of his injuries. Six other people were transported to the hospital with injuries, three in serious condition.
State Patol investigators say it’s still not clear why the truck crossed into wrong-way traffic.
CDOT officials warned on Twitter that any drivers traveling east on I-70 at the time should have plenty of food and water and a full tank of gas because of the extended delay.
