Garfield County- On 1/12/14, at approximately 09:14 am, the Colorado State Patrol responded to a crash involving a single tractor trailer combination vehicle in Glenwood Canyon. The tractor trailer, operated by Andrus Transportation Services, was traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 at Milepost 119, just east of No Name, when it lost control in a right, downhill curve on the snow covered icy roadway. The truck was exiting the curve when it lost control and skidded off the left side of the roadway and collided its left side to the cement highway barrier. The truck skidded along the highway barrier for 83.0 feet and nearly rolled, according to the driver, Jeffery Mitchell, 60, from Apple Valley, CA. The cement highway barrier prevented the truck from rolling onto its left side. The truck then over corrected to the right and skidded 94.0 feet eastbound, as it crossed both eastbound lanes. The truck then jackknifed and collided with the guard rail on the south roadway edge and continued to skid 110.0 feet eastbound. The truck came to rest facing north, with the rear axle overhanging the guard rail and the trailer partially over the guard rail as well.
Eastbound Interstate 70 was closed at Glenwood Springs to allow a recovery crew to remove the truck from the scene. Interstate 70 was re-opened at 12:45 pm after a 3 1/2 hour closure. Mr. Mitchell was not injured in the crash and was issued a summons for Careless Driving.
The Colorado State Patrol, Glenwood Springs Fire, and CDOT all responded to the scene. Blaine Ward Towing responded to remove the truck.
The Colorado State Patrol reminds everyone to pay extra attention to adverse driving conditions, and drive with extreme caution during the ongoing winter season.
