PHOTOS: A semitrailer that caught fire on Interstate 70 near Silverthorne has closed the westbound lanes of the interstate Sunday morning. According to a Colorado State Patrol spokesperson, the first call came in around 5:45 a.m. Sunday, after the semitrailer caught fire. The semitrailer was the only vehicle involved, and CSP, in a press release, said all occupants of the truck had died, though they could not confirm how many people were in the truck yet.
CSP said the truck went off the right side of the interstate and crashed, then caught fire. โAll occupants of the semi were pronounced dead on the scene,โ CSP said. โDue to the extensive damage and fire to this vehicle, first responders are unable to confirm the number of occupants at this time.โ
Crash conditions make it hard to pin down an exact number. โOnce theyโre able to go through the crash scene during their investigation, theyโre going to be able to make those determinations and have a confirmation,โ said trooper Gabriel Moltrer. The truck appears to have been carrying pet food, photos from the scene show and a CSP spokesperson said.
The westbound side of the interstate is closed at the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel, and drivers are advised to take an alternate route. โIt was very slow,โ visiting driver Rancho Iyer said. โWe had to make several adjustments to drive up.โ The couple said they were planning to get to Breckenridge in time for lunch, but the traffic quickly changed their plans. โWe started our day at like 2:30 in the morning,โ added Bala Iyer. โWeโre probably planning on having dinner at 4 oโclock now.โ
Officials have not given an estimated reopening time but said the westbound lanes would be closed for an extended period of time.
