A 10-year-old girl who was riding a dirt bike died after being hit by a truck Thursday in Hinsdale County.
The girl, who was wearing a helmet and other protective gear while heading south on Forest Service Road 640, was fatally struck by a Toyota Tacoma about 5:30 p.m. at the intersection of Forest Service roads 640 and 631, according to a news release from Colorado State Patrol.
The release said the crash occurred in Archuleta County, but a map places the intersection in southeast Hinsdale County.
The intersection is located near Williams Creek Campground, about 20 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs.
Archuleta County Coroner Brad Hunt said that although the case falls under Hinsdale County jurisdiction, his office is overseeing it. Hunt went to the scene, per a working agreement Archuleta County has with Hinsdale County.
Hunt said the area where the crash occurred sometimes takes Hinsdale County officials “an extreme amount of time” to get to, so his office is assisting.
Hunt said the autopsy is scheduled to be performed Tuesday in La Plata County.
The girl went through a stop sign and failed to safely yield, making a sharp turn onto the eastbound lane of Forest Service Road 631 before colliding with the truck, the release said.
The driver of the truck, an 18-year-old man, was not injured in the crash and remained at the site.
Bystanders and then emergency medical service personnel tried to save the girl’s life, but she succumbed to her injuries before she could be transported for medical attention, the release said.
This is a developing story. Check back with www.durangoherald.com for updates.
mhollinshead@durangoherald.com
