The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Two others sustain minor injuries
A 95-year-old Monument man died from injuries sustained in a three-car accident on Highway 135 Monday morning, February 6. Two Gunnison women were also involved in the accident in separate vehicles, but received minor injuries in the crash, the Colorado State Patrol said.
Trooper Nate Reid said State Patrol was called to the accident at 7:46 a.m. on Monday. Initial reports indicated the man, who was driving a Ford F-150 south on Highway 135, attempted to pass a Subaru Outback and lost control of his vehicle as he tried to reenter the driving lane north of the intersection of Ohio Creek Road, at mile marker 4.
According to Reid, the truck started moving broadside down the ice and snow-packed highway and was hit by a Subaru Forester in the northbound lane. Shortly thereafter, Reid said, the woman driving the Outback “got hit slightly” before stopping safely.
“It sounds like the road conditions weren’t ideal,” Reid said. “I’m not sure exactly what the conditions were but I think he probably lost control on the slick road. That caused him to go sideways and then roll over onto his top and then went back onto the wheels.”
The woman driving the Forester, the first car to hit the truck, received only minor injuries and refused transport to the Gunnison Valley Hospital, choosing to drive herself instead. The woman driving the Outback also chose to find her own ride to the hospital, Reid said.
Reid said the man was transported to GVH and died of his injuries a few hours later.
