A 23-year-old New York man died Monday morning when the semitruck he was driving went off the edge of Wolf Creek Pass.
Both the cab and the trailer were destroyed as the truck rolled down the mountain, according to Colorado State Patrol.
The State Patrol responded at 8:21 a.m. to a 2020 Freightliner that had gone off the highway and down the mountainside, according to a CSP news release.
The crash occurred 17 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs, just before the U.S. Highway 160 scenic overlook on the west side of the pass, the release said.
The semi was heading west on Highway 160 near mile marker 161, “traveling at an excessive speed, with smoke coming from the brakes,” when it hit a barrier wall on the right side and bounced off, the release said.
The truck then rolled through a guardrail and down a steep embankment.
The driver failed to use the runaway truck ramp located 1½ miles before the crash site.
The driver was ejected from the cab and was not immediately located amid the extensive debris. He was later found and pronounced dead, the release said.
The semi was carrying canned drinks, which spilled onto the road during the crash, according to the release. The Colorado Department of Transportation used a plow to clear the road of cargo and debris. CDOT and the CSP Hazmat Unit remained on scene for much of the day assisting with clean up, the release said.
Newsletter signup
To sign up for daily and breaking news alerts, visit www.durangoherald.com/newsletter-signup/
Recovering of the truck and trailer is expected be an “extended process,” according to the release, but no road closures were in place as of Monday afternoon.
The CSP’s Vehicular Crimes Unit is handling the investigation. The driver’s name has not yet been released.
Motorists were advised to visit COtrip.org for updates on possible delays.
epond@durangoherald.com
