A motorist and a dog were killed today in a fiery crash on I-70 during one of the busiest days of summer.
Colorado State Patrol confirms a truck towing a camper collided with a semi-trailer just east of the Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnels around 1 p.m.
The driver of the truck was killed. So was a dog riding inside. The semi driver was uninjured.
One of the vehicles was briefly engulfed in flames. This fire was put out before spreading to the nearby woods.
At the time upwards of 3,000 cars every hour were traveling I-70 through Summit. Thousands were caught between closures at the tunnels and Georgetown. Thousands more took detours that quickly turned into parking lots on U.S. Highway 285 into Fairplay and U.S. 40 Berthoud Pass.
Some travelers were trying to keep a sense of humor about the holiday logjam. Writes Judy on Facebook, “We’re about seven miles from the tunnel heading westbound. Slowly inching along. Several emergency vehicles have passed us on the shoulder. Good news – no snow or ice.”
Another listener on Facebook, Alice, was thinking of all involved, writing, “It was a horrific scene. Thinking of impacted, including the first responders.” Cause of the crash is under investigation.