On the morning of January 29, 2026, a tragic crash on I-70 near Herman Gulch resulted in one adult’s death and left a youth hockey player in critical condition. This accident involved a snowplow, a van transporting the SC Flyers girls’ hockey team from Santa Clarita, California, and two other vehicles.
Around 8:53 a.m., Colorado State Patrol responded to the scene. The hockey team was traveling for a Western Girls Hockey League tournament when the incident occurred. Prescott Littlefield, president of the SC Flyers, expressed deep concern for the players, stating, “We’ve been proud of these girls all season. We will do everything in our power to support them through this.”
The sprinter van had ten occupants. Sadly, the driver was pronounced dead at the scene, and one young player was airlifted to a trauma center with serious injuries. Seven others, including four children and three adults, were taken to a local hospital.
According to Denver Health, all four children have either been discharged or are on their way to recovery. Two adults remain in serious condition, while one is in fair condition. Remarkably, one adult chose not to be transported for medical care. Fortunately, the two other vehicles involved reported no injuries.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) confirmed that the eastbound lanes of I-70 from exit 218 to exit 221 were closed later that afternoon. Preliminary investigations indicated that the snowplow driver lost control while traveling westbound, crossed the median, and collided with vehicles in the eastbound lanes.
Accidents like this highlight the dangers of winter driving conditions. According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, over 1,300 fatalities each year result from winter weather-related crashes in the U.S. Safe driving practices, including reducing speed and increasing following distance during bad weather, can help prevent such tragedies.
This incident is still under investigation by the Colorado State Patrol’s Vehicular Crimes Unit. The community is rallying around the affected families, demonstrating the resilience and support that often emerges in the wake of tragedy.
Source link
Accident,car crash,Colorado News,I-70,Sports
