Two Colorado Department of Transportation employees were among three who died Wednesday in a crash along U.S. Route 6 in Mesa County.

According to Colorado State Patrol, at 10:42 a.m., troopers received reports of the crash along westbound U.S. 6 near mile marker 40, between Grand Junction and Palisade.

State Patrol investigators said a Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling westbound struck two CDOT workers outside of their vehicles along with a parked CDOT vehicle, which caused the Jeep to roll.

CSP chief Col. Matthew C. Packard said the CDOT workers were walking back toward their truck, “on the shoulder, out of the lane of traffic,” when they were struck by the Jeep.

The workers and an adult female passenger in the Jeep died at the scene, according to Packard.

“I can’t say this enough, that today is a tragic day in Colorado,” Packard said.

The driver of the Jeep was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. The man and woman in the Jeep are Mesa County residents, and believed to be married, Packard said.

Gov. Jared Polis commented on the crash on social media, saying in part: “These Coloradans will be missed by their state, families and communities.”

CSP crash investigators are continuing their work, but impairment is not believed to be a factor at this time.

“Our team is absolutely devastated to be here today, honoring the lives of two of our friends and family members from our organization,” CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said during an afternoon press conference.

Lew and Packard reminded the public of Colorado’s Move Over Law for motorists to slow down or move over whenever overtaking a stationary vehicle on the side of the road.

A failure to move over or slow down for a disabled vehicle can result in a Class 2 misdemeanor, a possible fine of $150 and a 3-point license violation. Drivers that fail to slow down or move over who cause a serious injury or death of another person can face a felony charge and prison time.

“All these crashes are preventable,” Packard said.

“When you see vehicles pulled over, doing the public’s work, please please treat them like they were your own family,” Lew said.