CLEAR CREEK COUNTY, Colo. — Colorado State Patrol has identified the CDOT snowplow driver involved in a fatal multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 near Herman Gulch, just east of the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnels. Troopers were called to the scene around 8:53 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, on the snow-covered eastbound lanes near milepost 218. The crash involved a snowplow, a sprinter-style Ford Transit van carrying a California hockey team, and two other passenger vehicles.

^{Photo credit: Colorado State Patrol}

According to CSP’s preliminary investigation, the CDOT plow truck was traveling westbound when the driver lost control. The plow crossed the median, broke through the cable barrier, and entered the eastbound lanes, where it struck a Toyota Tacoma. After impact, the Toyota went back through the median and hit a BMW traveling westbound. The plow continued into the eastbound lanes and then struck the Ford Transit van, sending it down an embankment before the plow came to rest on the shoulder.

CSP identified the plow driver as Colton A. Weidman, 29, of Littleton. The Tacoma was driven by a Silverthorne resident and had a 65-year-old female passenger, while the BMW was driven by a Denver resident. Troopers said no injuries were reported for those in the Toyota or BMW.

The driver of the van, which had 10 occupants, was pronounced dead at the scene. At least seven passengers, including four juveniles, were transported from the crash site, and one injured juvenile was flown by helicopter to a trauma center in critical condition. One adult male refused transport.

Later, Denver Health reported that the four juveniles under its care had been discharged, while three adults remained hospitalized — two in serious condition and one in fair condition. No update was provided on the juvenile who was flown to a trauma center.

Eastbound I-70 was temporarily closed at Silverthorne following the crash, but the roadway has since reopened. The investigation remains ongoing with the Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.