A Durango man was killed in a single-vehicle crash Monday night north of city limits on U.S. Highway 550.

The victim was identified as Randal Ponce, 56, said Capt. Adrian Driscoll, with the Colorado State Patrol in Durango.

The crash occurred shortly after 7:30 p.m. near mile marker 29.5, which is about four miles north of city limits and a mile south of Trimble Lane (County Road 252).

Ponce was driving a 2003 green Chevrolet Tahoe northbound on Highway 550 when he drifted off the left side of the road, struck a tree and continued into a field, Driscoll said.

Police were unsure why Ponce drifted into the southbound lane and off the left side of the road; drugs and alcohol are not suspected, he said.

Ponce was wearing a seat belt, and speed is not suspected to be a factor, Driscoll said.

Highway 550 was closed while police investigated the scene, according to a tweet sent by the State Patrol.

shane@durangoherald.com