The Colorado State Patrol said a truck fire caused a crash involving five vehicles.
GEORGETOWN, Colo. — A stretch of eastbound Interstate 70 is closed in the highlands Wednesday afternoon after a five-vehicle crash near Georgetown.
The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) posted on social media at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday that the eastbound lanes of I-70 were closed between Silverthorne and Loveland Pass after “multiple crashes with multiple injuries” between Silver Plume and Georgetown.
CSP said it started with a truck fire in the eastbound lanes in Georgetown.
Five vehicles were involved in the accidents, according to CSP, and three people were taken to the hospital with injuries. The injuries do not appear to be serious, CSP said, but the cleanup will be “extensive.”
No estimate has been given as to when the road will reopen. CSP said the cleanup will be “extensive.”
This is a developing story. 9NEWS will provide more information as it is confirmed.
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The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) provides these tips for driving safely in Colorado:
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Expect the unexpected
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Decelerate
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Don’t get too close
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Be alert for emergency equipment.
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Pay attention to the signs
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Obey the standard bearers
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Stay alert and minimize distractions
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Follow the traffic flow
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Plan your trip
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Be patient and stay calm.
It is also important to keep an eye out for emergency vehicles.
Colorado’s Move Over Law requires drivers to cross over a lane when there is an emergency situation along the shoulder. If the driver cannot move, he or she must significantly reduce speed to avoid an accident.
The law was implemented in 2005 and strengthened in 2020. A CDOT press release says: “The updated law states that if a driver cannot move at least one lane away from the parked emergency vehicle, the driver must reduce speed at least to 25 miles per hour on roads with a speed limit less than 45 miles per hour. On roads with speed limits of 45 miles per hour or more, drivers must reduce their speed to 20 miles per hour less than the speed limit. indicated, moving commits the crime of careless driving, a class 2 traffic misdemeanor that can result in up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $300.”
CDOT recommends that people check COtrip.org for road conditions, construction zones and traffic alerts.
9NEWS also provides traffic updates and alerts through the 9NEWS app.
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