Semi-Truck Crashes Into Traffic on I-70 Injuring People

A semi-truck crash involving vehicles closed eastbound I-70 near Georgetown on Thursday, injuring people and blocking traffic in the Colorado mountains.

The incident began around 11:25 a.m. when a semi-truck caught fire and pulled off the highway near exit 228, according to CBS News. As authorities from the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Department and the Colorado Department of Transportation worked to manage the scene and divert traffic into Georgetown, another semi-truck reportedly ran through the backed-up traffic, striking vehicles.

The collision resulted in injuries, with individuals being transported to local hospitals. People injured declined medical transportation, CBS News reported. Among the injured were two Clear Creek County deputies who were responding to the initial fire. Jenny Fulton, a Grant County Public Information Officer, said that both deputies sustained minor injuries and are expected to recover.

Eastbound I-70 shut down after multi-vehicle crash in Georgetown — 9NEWS

The crash occurred during a period of limited local law enforcement availability. At the time of the incident, the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Department had deputies and a sergeant on duty. All of those personnel responded to the initial semi-truck fire.

The rest of the department had been called back to active duty after attending the funeral of Lakewood Police Agent Nicholas Graham. The Grant County Sheriff’s Department provided assistance to the Clear Creek County team.

The wreckage from the multi-vehicle pileup included a mix of commercial and civilian transport. The total damage involved vehicles, including semi-trucks, passenger vehicles, and deputy cruisers, CBS News reported.

Vehicle Type	Quantity Damaged
Passenger Vehicles	5
Semi-Trucks	2
Deputy Cruisers	3

The Colorado State Patrol is continuing its investigation into the crash. While eastbound lanes were reopened at approximately 5:10 p.m., officials warned that the investigation and cleanup would continue to impact travel through the area.

The Colorado Department of Transportation was on the scene of a crash on I-70 near Georgetown. Drivers traveling through the Georgetown area near mile marker 228.5 will face delays while the investigation continues.