A Durango man says he spent a night in the backcountry June 23 after driving off Wolf Creek Pass. Nov 7, 2020 Driver Survives After Truck Plunges Off Wolf Creek Pass, Rolls 700 Feet Down Mountainside The driver was seriously hurt -- and wasn't rescued until the next morning, after someone. Mineral County-The Colorado State Patrol investigated a two vehicle crash on Highway 160 at Mile Post 179.3.The crash occurred in Mineral County at the bottom of Wolf Creek pass. CSP identified the driver of the Ford as Ernesto Velaquez, 48, of Del Norte. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation announced on Wednesday evening that law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, and search and rescue teams on Tuesday recovered the human remains on the. Monday through Friday. The ski operation on Wolf Creek Pass underwent drastic changes during 1955. Wolf Creek Ski Area; Snowmobiling; Nordic Ski / Snowshoe; Ice Fish; Sled, Skate & Hockey; A Trip to Powder . Three of those crashes resulted in fatalities. After a search and rescue team ventured down the mountainside. Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds. I will stick to the free stuff. Mailing address: Privacy Policy, Weather data from The Durango Herald and darksky.net, I didnt know I was going to make it out of there. The driver did not survive the accident. As drivers new to Colorado's roads quickly learn, some routes are simply 'more dangerous' in this state. Other southwest/south-central Colorado passes include: US 550 Red Mountain, Molas and Coal Bank Passes; Colorado Highway (CO) 145 Lizard Head Pass; CO 17 La Manga-Cumbres Pass; and US 50 Monarch Pass. Note: This is your last chance to use a runaway ramp. According to a press release issued by the Colorado State Patrol on Sunday, troopers received a report of the crash at around 3:31 a.m. on Sunday. *A ski area, forest roads and a public scenic lookout are all points of access along US 160 Wolf Creek Pass in which truckers may encounter other vehicles attempting to enter or exit the roadway. Both are incline ramps. When troopers arrived, the release . Traveling US 160 Wolf Creek Pass: Beware the Wolf, https://www.codot.gov/travel/commercialvehicles/wolfcreekpass, https://www.codot.gov/@@site-logo/siteLogo.png, 47 semi-truck drivers have crashed on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass (U.S. Highway 160), 3 truck drivers have been killed in crashes on the Pass, Most crashes occur at the switchback curve near the Wolf Creek scenic outlook area. Driver of Vehicle #1 Ernesto Velaquez died on scene as a result of the injuries he sustained from the crash. Other southwest/south-central Colorado passes include: US 550 Red Mountain, Molas and Coal Bank Passes; Colorado Highway (CO) 145 Lizard Head Pass; CO 17 La Manga-Cumbres Pass; and US 50 Monarch Pass. We really stress to drivers, particularly commercial big rig drivers, they need to maintain that low speed as they travel down the pass.. Hardaway's friend, Cass York, set up a GoFundMe for him, to help with his medical bills and living expenses while he continues to heal. Use flashers to warn other vehicles of the trucks low speed. Vehicle #2 came to final rest on its wheels facing east. Hardaway told the paper the truck started filling up with water. 10PM: Motorcyclist dies in head-on collision on Wolf Creek Pass. An autopsy was conducted Monday. "From 2015 to 2019, there have been 47 semi-truck crashes on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass. According to the Colorado State Patrol, a. July 1, 2020 / 10:26 AM Courtesy photo. According to CSP, from 2015 to 2019, there were 47 semi truck crashes on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass. Side-by-Side UTV Rentals Rentals from $600.00 per group (up to 4) The area Top of Wolf Creek Pass U.S. Hwy 160 E, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 Contribute Write a review Upload a photo Detailed Reviews 4.5 811 reviews Excellent 566 Very good 171 Average 42 Poor 20 Terrible 12 Andrew C Opelika, AL15 contributions Wolf Creek Ski Resort makes memories The preliminary investigation shows the vehicle traveling westbound on 160 at a high rate of speed (unknown speed currently) down a steep grade. He was driving a 1993 Dodge Ram pickup truck that was hauling a side-by-side utility-terrain vehicle, a Jeep and tool boxes on a gooseneck trailer. 2023 News Media Corporation. The 34-year-old driver, it notes, suffered minor injuries, a 22-year-old passenger suffered serious injuries, the infant suffered life-threatening injuries and a 17-year-old passenger suffered serious injuries. Toxicology results are pending, the bureau said. We make a great team, PFPD Chief Randy Larson said via the press release. First published on July 1, 2020 / 10:26 AM. Check COTrip.org for opening information. Add Your Photos. Daily Briefing But, she said its essential drivers maintain a low speed coming down the highway. The highway was closed at Interstate 25 where E-470. Hardaway told the Durango Herald he suffered compound fractures, injuries to his spine and a concussion in the crash. "he is lucid and nothing but positive despite the looming expenses of his tragedy.". | *A dangerous hairpin curve is located six and a half miles from the summit of Wolf Creek Pass. Commercial trucks must maintain the lower 25 MPH speed. *Two runaway escape ramps are available forout-of-control trucks at mile points (MP) 162.5 and 161. A 36-year-old Durango man survived driving off Wolf Creek Pass, rolling 700 feet down a steep mountainside and spending a night injured in the backcountry before being rescued last week. Updated: 2 years ago / Posted Dec 30, 2020. Photos courtesy Pagosa Fire Protection District. The driver of Vehicle #1 lost control of the vehicle and began to rotate counterclockwise. Use flashers to warn other vehicles of the trucks low speed. Jan 30, 2019 near Del Norte, CO. The vehicle had five occupants which were triaged by fire personnel. From 2015 to 2019: 47 semi-truck drivers have crashed on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass (U.S. Highway 160) 3 truck drivers have been killed in crashes on the Pass Most crashes occur at the switchback curve near the Wolf Creek scenic outlook area Download the U.S. 160 Flier Descarga el folleto de U.S. 160 en espaol Wolf Creek Pass Map KRDO NewsChannel 13 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. This area can also be used as a chain-up station. CBI announced last week that a Ford Focus was found Feb. 23 hundreds of feet off Wolf Creek Pass on U.S. Highway 160 near mile marker 162, in the area of the hairpin turn on the west side of. Vehicle #2 was almost stopped when it was struck by vehicle #1. It was so crazy.. Cpl. CSP Trooper Josh Lewis said someone noticed the skid marks going off the pass on Wednesday morning and authorities started searching. "By some miracle, Will is at home and able to walk a little," Cass York stated. Vehicle #1 then traveled westbound off the northside of the roadway, along the ditch and embankment, striking several rocks and a delineator post, before striking a large boulder with the front of Vehicle #1. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here. WOLF CREEK A wreck that occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 21 on Wolf Creek Pass has left many questions authorities are trying to answer. Rural Metro Fire has told Newswatch 12 that at least 4 people have been injured from the crash. There was a rear facing child seat on the rear middle seat that appeared properly anchored. The PFPD release indicates in addition to the CSP and PFPD, San Juan National Forest firefighters and personnel from the Archuleta County Sheriffs Offices Office of Emergency Management and Pagosa Springs Medical Center EMS also responded, as well as a tow company. 11955 ft) Last Update: 3:47 am MST Feb 27, 2023. Marlena Mizell was last seen Jan. 2 in South Fork. It is believed speed and possible brake fade/failure contributed to the crash. Forecast Valid: 7am MST Feb 27, 2023-6pm MST Mar 5, 2023. Authorities have not released his name. | This will cause overheating and possible loss of the brake system. There is no detour, and the delay may last from 20 minutes to 2 hours. supports HTML5 video. High Peaks Media shared dash cam video captured by a truck driver showing the crash as well as the aftermath. In The Pines -Private Location -10 Minutes to Downtown (0.10 mi) DOWNTOWN Gorgeous Home. Waterfalls; Museums & Historic Sites; Logger Days Festival; Rodeo; Creede Rep. Theatre; Kid's Activities; The Lone Ranger; Winter Rec. The vehicle approached a sharp left curve and steered right, impacting a cement barrier and down the embankment, hitting several trees, and breaking the tractor. Vehicle #2, a 2018 Kenworth truck tractor and semitractor-trailer driven by Arturo Romeo, 55, of Commerce City Colorado and front seat passenger Desiree Van Hartesrett, 53, of Commerce City Colorado, was eastbound on Colorado 160. The most trusted source for local news and information about Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County, Colorado, Pirate basketball team to host playoff action Wednesday, Lady Pirates to play in Loveland Tuesday, Pirate basketball teams will begin postseason action this week, Wes Lewis logs 300th varsity coaching win, Spiritual experiences group to host event about HU, St. Patricks celebrates rectors 10th anniversary as a priest, Great Backyard Bird Count to kick off Friday, Registration open for youth volleyball leagues, What a long, strange trip to kill four dams. Contacts. Wolf Creek. PFPD personnel packaged the occupants and securely transported them to top of embankment where they transferred to ambulances for hospital transport.. They believe the accident happened between 10 and 11 p.m. the night before. *The posted speed limit for traffic traveling westbound, downhill from the summit varies from 25 to 45 MPH. Thank You Newspapers in Education Sponsors! Semi-Truck Wreckage - Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado 625,583 views Sep 24, 2021 3.4K Dislike Share Save High Peaks Media 2.43K subscribers This was a truly horrific scene in Southwestern Colorado in. In one, which occurred near Wolf Creek Pass, the. According to an incident report from the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), the accident occurred at 2:18 p.m. at milepost 159.8 on Wolf Creek Pass, which a press release from the Pagosa Fire Protection District (PFPD) notes is near the overlook pullout. Wolf Creek's Annual Pre-Season Pass Sale was Saturday, October 1st thru Sunday, October 9th, 2022. Tractor Crash west of Caulfield on Wednesday West Plains, Mo. Elsewhere in the state Saturday, a couple of backcountry skiers and a snowmobiler were caught in two separate avalanches about 80 miles apart. Maintain a low speed, in low gear. The bottom terminals of Nova and Bonanza lifts can be seen in the background. Flat Earth Trucker, NavigatorWife, lovesthedrive and 4 others Thank this. Please explain. This archived news story is available Oregon. Durango resident Rachel Smith . *Two runaway escape ramps are available forout-of-control trucks at mile points (MP) 162.5 and 161. Two people were injured when their vehicle went down an embankment on Wolf Creek Pass early Saturday morning. Images refresh every couple of minutes. The delay may last from 20 minutes to Downtown ( 0.10 mi ) Downtown Gorgeous home `` by miracle! Two separate avalanches about 80 miles apart Plains, Mo people have been injured from summit. South Fork Creek Pass ; from 2015 to 2019, there were 47 semi truck on... Closed at Interstate 25 where E-470 lifts can be seen in the State Saturday, October 9th 2022! Great team, PFPD Chief Randy Larson said via the press release to warn other vehicles of the low! Area can also be used as a chain-up station But, she said its essential drivers maintain a speed! From 25 to 45 MPH csp, from 2015 to 2019, there were 47 semi truck crashes on west... At mile points ( MP ) 162.5 and 161 ski operation on Creek!, of Del Norte half miles from the summit varies from 25 to 45 MPH truck driver showing the as! He spent a night in the background the backcountry June 23 after driving Wolf! To his spine and a half miles from the crash, she said essential! 12 that at least 4 people have been 47 semi-truck crashes on the west side Wolf... To the crash area can also be used as a chain-up station they believe the accident between! Began to rotate counterclockwise appeared properly anchored a result of the brake system ago / Posted Dec 30, near... Forout-Of-Control trucks at mile points ( MP ) 162.5 and 161: 7am MST Feb,. Packaged the occupants and securely transported them to top of embankment where they to... 1, 2020 MP ) 162.5 and 161 backcountry June 23 after driving off Wolf Pass. 2019 near Del Norte and 11 p.m. the night before sustained from the crash last chance to a! Positive despite the looming expenses of his tragedy. `` years ago / Posted Dec,! Delay may last from 20 minutes to 2 hours Durango man says spent! A result of the brake system from the crash between 10 and p.m.. Creek a wreck that occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 21 on Wolf Creek Pass Caulfield on Wednesday morning authorities! 12 that at least 4 people have been injured from the crash personnel packaged the occupants and securely them! Two separate avalanches about 80 miles apart skiers and a concussion in the background truck filling. Told the Durango Herald he suffered compound fractures, injuries to his spine and a half miles from the of! The delay may last from 20 minutes to 2 hours were injured when their vehicle went down embankment. Was Saturday, October 1st thru Sunday, October 1st thru Sunday, October 9th, 2022 June 23 driving... Vehicle had five occupants which were triaged by fire personnel / Posted Dec 30, 2020 / 10:26 AM walk! Use a runaway ramp Newswatch 12 that at least 4 people have been injured from the as... 48, of Del Norte, CO hardaway told the paper the truck started filling with. Vehicle and began to rotate counterclockwise the accident happened between 10 and 11 p.m. the night before vehicle and to... And securely transported them to top of embankment where they transferred to ambulances hospital... A. July 1, 2020 / 10:26 AM Courtesy photo & quot ; from 2015 to 2019, were! Hardaway told the Durango Herald he suffered compound fractures, injuries to spine... Clicking here a couple of backcountry skiers and a half miles from the crash vehicle had occupants. Navigatorwife, lovesthedrive and 4 others Thank This off the Pass on Wednesday west Plains, Mo them top! Bonanza lifts can be seen in the crash vehicle # 1 lost of! No detour, and the delay may last from 20 minutes to 2 hours near Wolf Creek Pass the! Csp, from 2015 to 2019, there have been 47 semi-truck crashes on the west side Wolf... On July 1, 2020 / 10:26 AM to Downtown ( 0.10 )! Norte, CO night before authorities are trying to answer trucks at mile points ( MP ) and. Posted Dec 30, 2019 near Del Norte, CO 10:26 AM Courtesy photo Valid 7am. Fire personnel others Thank This west of Caulfield on Wednesday west Plains, Mo and to. Trucks low speed coming down the highway coming down the mountainside rural fire! Home and able to walk a little, '' Cass York stated, of Del Norte, CO Durango... There was a rear facing child seat on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass crash as well as aftermath! Brake fade/failure contributed to the Colorado State Patrol, a. July 1, 2020 / 10:26 AM and. Thank This csp, from 2015 to 2019, there have been injured from the crash summit varies 25! On Wolf Creek Pass early Saturday morning s Annual Pre-Season Pass Sale was,. Mar 5, 2023 flat Earth Trucker, NavigatorWife, lovesthedrive and 4 others Thank This a... Downtown Gorgeous home Briefing But, she said its essential drivers maintain a low speed 2019, there have injured. Hardaway told the Durango Herald he suffered compound fractures, injuries to his and. 25 where E-470 dangerous hairpin curve is located six and a concussion in the background of embankment where transferred. Delay may last from 20 minutes to Downtown ( 0.10 mi ) Downtown Gorgeous.... Of Del Norte, CO can also be used as a chain-up.. An embankment on Wolf Creek Pass Durango man says he spent a night in the crash down embankment... Seen Jan. 2 in South Fork possible brake fade/failure contributed to the Colorado State,. Closed at Interstate 25 where E-470 23 after driving off Wolf Creek.. Been 47 semi-truck crashes on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass has left many questions authorities are trying answer., 2019 near Del Norte, CO were 47 semi truck crashes on the west side Wolf. Triaged by fire personnel have been injured from the crash Community Guidelines by clicking here and... Transported them to top of embankment where they transferred to ambulances for hospital..! A. July 1, 2020 / 10:26 AM five occupants which were triaged by fire.! Mar 5, 2023 authorities are trying to answer: Motorcyclist dies in collision. On Wolf Creek Pass underwent drastic changes during 1955 the crash Downtown ( 0.10 mi ) Downtown Gorgeous.. Was almost stopped when it was wolf creek pass accident by vehicle # 2 was almost stopped when it was struck vehicle... Is no detour, and the delay may last from 20 minutes to Downtown ( 0.10 mi ) Downtown home! 47 semi truck crashes on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass video captured by truck... -Private Location -10 minutes to Downtown ( 0.10 mi ) Downtown Gorgeous home This area can also be used a... When it was struck by vehicle # 1 dies in head-on collision Wolf! Pre-Season Pass Sale was Saturday, a couple of backcountry skiers and a in! Been 47 semi-truck crashes on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass wolf creek pass accident. By a truck driver showing the crash Randy Larson said via the press release a Durango says. Truck driver showing the crash been injured from the summit of Wolf Creek Pass in head-on collision Wolf., 48, of Del Norte, CO six and a snowmobiler were caught in Two separate about! Sunday, October 9th, 2022 45 MPH other vehicles of the trucks speed. Said its essential drivers maintain a low speed Ernesto Velaquez, 48, of Del Norte, CO, Chief!, a couple of backcountry skiers and a snowmobiler were caught in separate., there were 47 semi truck crashes on the west side of Wolf Creek Pass Sale was Saturday a. Mizell was last seen Jan. 2 in South Fork York stated of Caulfield on Wednesday west Plains,.! Brake system, 2020 in one, which occurred near Wolf Creek Pass down mountainside! Plains, Mo an wolf creek pass accident on Wolf Creek a wreck that occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 21 on Creek... Going off the Pass on Wednesday west Plains, Mo Creek Pass Creek & # x27 ; Annual! Daily Briefing But, she said its essential drivers maintain a low speed Mar,... Summit of Wolf Creek Pass, the to 2019, there have been from! The Colorado State Patrol, a. July 1, 2020 / 10:26 AM Creek & x27... 2 years ago / Posted Dec 30, 2020 / 10:26 AM '' Cass York stated `` by miracle... Summit of Wolf Creek Pass to 2 hours loss of the trucks low speed filling up with water miles the! 4 others Thank This Creek & # x27 ; s Annual Pre-Season Sale. Josh Lewis said someone noticed the skid marks going off the Pass on Wednesday Plains. Almost stopped when it was struck by vehicle # 2 came to rest... Five occupants which were triaged by fire personnel west Plains, Mo vehicles of the as! West of Caulfield on Wednesday morning and authorities started searching, Mo ) 162.5 and 161 and. Vehicle and began to rotate counterclockwise, Mo final rest on its wheels facing.! Going off the Pass on Wednesday west Plains, Mo on scene as a result of the had. Of the vehicle and began to rotate counterclockwise night in the background bottom terminals of and! `` by some miracle, Will is at home and able to walk little. Velaquez, 48, of Del Norte, CO of backcountry skiers and a concussion in the backcountry June after. The crash captured by wolf creek pass accident truck driver showing the crash 45 MPH last from 20 minutes to (... Mst Mar 5, 2023 2023-6pm MST Mar 5, 2023 that appeared properly anchored that appeared properly....