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Crash on U.S. 491 injures one driver

State Patrol investigation rules unknown medical condition caused crash

An unknown medical condition contributed to a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 491 Wednesday morning that injured one person, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

A Dolores woman was southbound in a Chevy Sierra GMC when she crossed into the northbound lane and collided with the left rear side of heavy-duty repair truck, said Sgt. Nathan Lyons. The crash was reported at 10:33 a.m. at mile marker 31 northwest of Cortez.

After the collision, the GMC veered across the northbound lane and crashed into the ditch on the east side of the highway.

The driver was transported to Southwest Memorial Hospital for minor injuries and evaluation. The truck driver was not injured.

Lyons said the investigation determined an “unknown medical condition” caused the woman to lose control. She was on her way to a medical appointment in Cortez when the crash occurred.

The type of medical issue suffered was not released, but it had reportedly not occurred in the past, Lyons said, so no citation was issued.

Drivers with known medical conditions, or ones that are untreated, that could impair the ability to drive may be issued citations, he said, but that was not the case in this situation.

The GMC truck sustained significant damage and had to be towed. The tractor repair truck was able to limp back to the nearby equipment yard.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts, and were the only occupants. No road closure was required.