Clear Creek County Chaos: Fatal Crash & Fire on I‑70 Westbound (80424) Near Loveland Pass – LIVE UPDATES
A routine summer drive through Colorado s stunning mountain corridor turned deadly Thursday afternoon when a crash ignited a major van fire on westbound I just east of Loveland Pass At approximately p m Colorado State Patrol CSP responded to a crash involving a RAM towing a trailer and a Freightliner semi-truck The RAM erupted into flames claiming the life of the driver and his dog at the scene Miraculously the semi-truck driver escaped uninjured Credit MountainDriver The fiery collision triggered a massive crisis response including firefighters paramedics CDOT crews and law enforcement Westbound I was shut near mile marker at Herman Gulch exit with eastbound lanes closed between Silverthorne Exit and the tunnels Crews spent hours clearing debris battling the blaze and restoring traffic flow Eastbound lanes reopened by p m but westbound traffic remained halted until roughly p m creating heavy congestion and snarling holiday journey plans for Independence Day road trippers Local leadership urged motorists to avoid traveling westbound on I and Highway warning of extremely long delays and high heat risks for stranded vehicles and occupants Exigency services have since reopened lanes but caution remains the aftermath is a stark reminder of mountain-road hazards and the urgent need for cautious driving during summer storms and tourist surges Key Facts CURRENT Fatal crash fire on westbound I just east of Loveland Pass IMPACT One person and one dog killed westbound lanes closed for hours OFFICIAL SOURCE Motorists are strongly encouraged to postpone traveling west CSP CDOT ACTION Avoid I westbound and Highway delay passage or seek alternate trail Hyperlocal Impact Precise Location I Westbound Mile near Eisenhower Johnson Tunnel entrance Region Connection We were stuck for hours felt trapped in that heat Craig Walker holiday traveler Traffic Urgency Response By p m crews had extinguished the blaze and reopened all eastbound lanes but westbound traffic remained off limits until approximately p m CDOT deployed detours via Herman Gulch exit and advised against using US or US as substitutes for I due to congestion and safety concerns Drivers faced sweltering temperatures with certain abandoning vehicles along the shoulder reports indicate passengers walked dogs or took rationed breaks while waiting for the green light Tompkins County across the Front Range felt the ripple effects as holiday-bound families experienced delays up to two hours CDOT s CoTrip platform labeled the closure a major situation recommending travelers postpone westbound voyage from Denver Meanwhile first responders ensured the crash site was cleared safely before reopening lanes and restored portable signals at the tunnel entrance Local hotspots Eisenhower Tunnel Idaho Springs Silverthorne bore the brunt of diverted traffic As traffic resumed CSP troopers and CDOT traffic experts flagged residual backups and advised drivers to reduce speed stay alert and honor four-way stop protocols at disabled signal locations Recovery efforts continue with full affair reports and cause analysis expected later Specific Angle WHY THIS MATTERS NOW The crash occurred during peak holiday expedition compounding risks amid rising roadside fatalities on I this season Update Log PM Crash fire communicated near mile PM Eastbound lanes reopened westbound still closed PM Westbound lanes reopened delays likely through evening If you witnessed the crash or have dashcam footage please contact Colorado State Patrol so investigators can fully reconstruct the scene and prevent future tragedies on this vital corridor
