The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Vehicle drove off a cliff…
By Mark Reaman
A single vehicle accident on Highway 92 last week resulted in two fatalities and a major recovery project as the car flew off the highway to the bottom of the Black Canyon.
According to Colorado State Patrol trooper Josh Lewis, a 2015 Mercedes was traveling at a high rate of speed when it failed to negotiate a curve near mile marker 70. He said the car driven by 20-year-old Steven Phung and his passenger, 20-year-old Jennifer Bui, of Chicago, Illinois, were headed westbound on Highway 92 about 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 8.
Lewis said the car was entering a curve when it went off the road, went into the air and off a cliff. The vehicle hit the ground and rolled. Phung was ejected from the car while Bui was wearing a seatbelt and stayed in the car.
According to the Gunnison Volunteer Fire Department social media page, nine agencies and two helicopters were called in to recover the bodies and the vehicle that ended up 1,000 feet from the roadway. “Please heed caution as you travel this less familiar, windy detour route,” the department stated. “Please plan ahead for the added time and observe posted speed limits and corner speed suggestions on Highway 92.”
Lewis said there were no obvious signs of drugs or alcohol being a factor in the crash, but the accident is still under investigation.
