A devastating crash on Interstate 70 near the Eisenhower Tunnel on Thursday, July 3, claimed the life of a 40-year-old pickup truck driver and his dog. The Colorado State Patrol reported that the driver of a 2021 Ram 3000 pickup truck veered onto the shoulder and struck the rear of a parked semi-truck around 1 p.m. at mile marker 218.
The impact caused the Ram, which was towing a trailer, to spin, roll once, and burst into flames. The driver and his canine companion perished in the accident. The semi-truck driver, a 62-year-old man from Virginia, escaped unharmed.
The collision led to a prolonged closure of Interstate 70 in both directions between exits 205 and 216, causing significant holiday traffic congestion that lasted for hours. The Summit County coroner’s office is expected to release more information about the deceased pickup driver.
The incident highlights the dangers of highway travel during peak holiday periods and the importance of road safety measures.
