October 23, 2024

Eastbound I-70 closed after fatal semi-truck crash in eastern Colorado

The Colorado State Patrol said the two semis crashed on I-70 in Elbert County around 9:30 p.m. and hazmat crews were cleaning up a fuel spill on the highway.

ELBERT COUNTY, Colo. — Westbound lanes of Interstate 70 reopened after two semi-trucks crashed on the highway Tuesday night, killing one of the drivers, the Colorado State Patrol said.

The crash happened around 9:37 p.m. on I-70 near mile marker 352. One semi ended up in the median blocking westbound lanes, and the other semi landed in the eastbound traffic lanes. CSP said there was visible smoke in the area and fuel spilled onto the roadway. 

CSP said drivers were being rerouted off highway exit ramps to go around the crash and get back onto the highway. Hazmat crews were on the way to the crash scene to clean up approximately 20 gallons of fuel on the highway, CSP said. 

The Colorado Department of Transportation reported westbound lanes of the interstate had reopened at about 4 a.m. Wednesday.

There was no estimate on when eastbound lanes of I-70 would be reopened to traffic. 

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