Finger pushing
weather icon 60°F


Van carrying hockey team crashes with CDOT plow, driver dead

The driver of a van carrying a hockey team from California died Thursday morning after a Colorado Department of Transportation snow plow crashed into it, and several other cars, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

Eight others in the van, including four children and three adults, were taken to Denver Health by ambulance after the crash, which took place on Interstate 70 eastbound just east of Loveland Pass, CSP said in sevral news releases on Thursday.

An additional adult was taken by helicopter to Denver Health’s trauma center with critical injuries and another adult man declined medical attention, according to the releases. There were a total of 10 people in the van.

The initial investigation found that the plow truck was driving on I-70 westbound when its driver lost control and drove through the median into the eastbound lanes, according to the CSP. The plow hit the silver sprinter van, sending it down an embankment.

The plow also hit a Toyota Tacoma, sending it through the median and into a BMW driving westbound, according to the releases. The occupants of those vehicles did not report any injuries.

Photos provided by CSP show the CDOT truck lost its plow during the crash. They also show the van lying on its side several feet off the right side of the roadway.

A photo of a silver van on its side in some trees
A photo of a silver sprinter van lying on its left side after a crash on Interstate 70 eastbound on Jan. 29 that left the driver dead. (Courtesy of Colorado State Patrol)

The interstate was closed in the eastbound direction at Silverthorne for much of Thursday as crews responded to the crash. It was still closed at 4 p.m. Thursday.

The driver’s identity will be released by the Clear Creek County Coroner pending an autopsy and notification of family. The CSP Vehicular Crimes Unit is investigating the crash and will release more information later.

Denver Health reported Thursday evening that all four children had been discharged, and it was still treating three adults. Two of them were listed in serious condition, one fair.



Welcome Back.

Streak: 9 days i

Stories you've missed since your last login:

Stories you've saved for later:

Recommended stories based on your interests:

Edit my interests