MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — FOX31 is learning more about a crash on U.S. 6 in Mesa County.
On Wednesday morning three people were killed, and two of them were Colorado Department of Transportation workers.
Colorado State Patrol said through their initial investigation, they do not believe impairment to be a factor in this crash. They are still looking for answers, as officials are expressing both anger and sadness, saying the case demonstrates the need for drivers to slow down and move over for roadside workers.
“When you see vehicles pulled over on the side of the road doing the public’s work, please treat them like they’re your own family. Drive slowly,” said Shoshana Lew, executive director of CDOT. “Move over with the compliance of the move over law.”
Aurora police link brothers accused in shooting to Tren de Aragua gang It’s a state law officials say is disregarded all too often.
“That’s damn heartbreaking,” said Col. Matthew Packard, chief of Colorado State Patrol. “This shouldn’t happen, but here we are again.”
State police say around 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, the driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling westbound on U.S. 6. It was in the same location that the two CDOT workers were doing some road maintenance.
They had parked their CDOT vehicle off the road. Police say the Jeep drove right into them.
“The two CDOT workers who were at the scene were walking back to their truck, we believe, when that Jeep Grand Cherokee collided with them and the CDOT truck parked on the scene,” Packard said.
The two CDOT workers died at the crash scene. Paramedics rushed the Jeep driver to the hospital. The other person inside the Jeep died at the scene.
“I think at the top level a lane violation is what caused this crash,” Packard said. “The Jeep traveled outside of their lane. Specifically as to why, if it was a distraction or some other thing, that’s what the investigation will help us discover.”
Gov. Jared Polis released a statement, saying: “Today in Mesa County, after stopping to the side of the road to fix a sign, two dedicated Colorado Department of Transportation employees were struck by a passing vehicle that led to the tragic loss of three lives and a fourth being hospitalized. I’m heartbroken by this horrible accident and my thoughts are with the families of the individuals, CDOT, and the communities. These Coloradans will be missed by their state, families, and communities. I speak for the entire state when I say that they will be missed.”
Carpooling isn’t enough: How to avoid HOV lane bills in Colorado Meanwhile, AAA released a statement as well:
“In the wake of today’s tragedy at the roadside in Mesa County, just days after the conclusion of the Western Colorado Transportation Safety Symposium here, AAA urges drivers to abide by Colorado’s robust “Slow Down, Move Over” statutes to save lives.
Colorado law requires drivers to move over a lane or slow down at least 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit when they encounter any disabled vehicle at the roadside with its hazards activated. CDOT road crews are expressly and specially protected.
Failure to move over or slow down for a disabled vehicle can result in a Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense, which carries a possible fine of $150 and a 3-point license violation. If a driver’s failure to slow down or move over results in serious injury to or the death of another person, penalties can rise to a class 6 felony, carrying a prison sentence of up to 18 months and fines up to $100,000.
AAA
Officials are unsure why the Jeep veered off the road, but it’s a reminder of the move-over law passed in 2020, inspired by the death of state Trooper Jaimie Jursevics. In 2015, a drunk driver hit and killed her while she was directing traffic around a crash.
The next year, Trooper Cody Donahue was hit and killed as he was investigating a crash scene on Interstate 25.
“This is the exact crash that we work so hard to prevent, and so making sure this receives the attention is important to me and I know important to Executive Director Lew as well,” Packard said. “Not only so we can learn but to call attention to this. All of these crashes are preventable.”
Colorado State Patrol said the driver of the Jeep has since been released from the hospital.
As of now, they are not identifying the three people who lost their lives as they are working to make contact with all family members.
It’s important to note this year a new law took effect requiring drivers to move over for any vehicle with its hazards flashing.
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