One woman was killed and two people were injured in a crash involving three vehicles that happened on U.S. 6 between tunnels 1 and 2 in Clear Creek Canyon. The deadly crash happened at approximately 3:30 p.m. on August 13. As of 10:30 p.m. on the day of the accident, the roadway was closed indefinitely between Golden and U.S. 119.
According to authorities, a man driving east in a Chevrolet pickup truck veered into oncoming traffic while traveling through a curved portion of the road and struck an Oldsmobile. The impact forced the westbound car into the eastbound lane where it was struck by semi-truck. A female passenger in the Oldsmobile was killed instantly in the second collision. The drivers of the car and the tractor-trailer were both hospitalized, and the driver of the pickup was unharmed. No citations were issued by troopers on the day of the accident.
Motor vehicle accidents initiated by lane departures may be caused by a number of factors including fatigue, texting and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Additionally, mechanical failure or road conditions sometimes contribute to crashes of this nature. Once authorities’ investigation of a fatal car accident concludes, the immediate relatives of someone killed in the crash may wish to file a wrongful death claim against the party believed to have caused the incident.
In Colorado, compensation to plaintiffs can include expenses arising directly from the death such as funeral and burial costs as well as lost earnings from the decedent. Noneconomic damages can also be awarded for loss of companionship, pain and suffering caused to the victim prior to his or her death and mental anguish of surviving family members.
Source: KUSA-TV, ‘3 vehicles involved in fatal Clear Creek Canyon crash,” August 13, 2014
Source: ABC7, “3-vehicle crash on US-6 leaves 1 dead, 2 hurt; highway closed between US-119 and Golden”, August 13, 2014