Tragic Trucking Accident in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains

A 23-year-old truck driver from New York lost his life Monday morning after being ejected from his cab while speeding along a mountain pass in Colorado. The incident took place on Wolf Creek Pass, a high-altitude route that runs along the Continental Divide.

The crash happened around 8:30 a.m., as reported by the Colorado State Patrol. The driver was transporting canned beverages in a 2020 Freightliner when he seemingly lost control, crashing through the left guardrail.

According to investigators, the trailer slammed into a barrier on the right side of the road, which broke apart and scattered its contents. This series of events ultimately led to the entire tractor-trailer tumbling over the edge.

From there, the semi-truck soared up a steep cliff, and the driver was thrown out of the cab. It took some time for investigators to locate him because of a “large debris trail,” but he was eventually found dead nearby.

Further investigation revealed that the driver had missed an out-of-control truck ramp about 1.6 miles up Highway 160, which could have been crucial for preventing the crash. Witnesses noted seeing smoke from the truck’s brakes as it sped down the highway at what was described as “excessive speeds.”

Authorities are still looking into the details of the accident.

Wolf Creek Pass is notorious for its “dangerous curves” and a steep descent of 7% on its west side. The law mandates that all commercial trucks must maintain a speed of 25 mph while descending the mountain pass, which spans just 8 miles from top to bottom.

From 2015 to 2019, there were 47 semi-truck accidents on the western side of the pass, resulting in three fatalities, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Most of these incidents occurred on switchback curves close to the scenic viewing area on the same side of the pass.