The Colorado State Patrol said Tuesday that “driver distraction” is considered a contributing factor to a crash Monday that killed three people.
State Patrol Sgt. Shawn Olmstead said the driver of a 2006 Kenworth tractor-trailer, identified as 35-year-old Kevin Fender, was the distracted driver.
“I can’t comment on the … distraction,” said Olmstead, who oversaw the investigation into the accident near Eagle.
Just prior to the accident, according to the State Patrol, both the Kenworth and a van – a 1998 Toyota Sienna – were traveling east on Interstate 70. The Toyota was in front of the Kenworth.
According to a report by Trooper Scott Simons, the Kenworth’s front end collided with the rear of the Toyota.
Following the impact, the Toyota went off the left edge of the road and rolled, coming to rest on its top, facing east.
While the Toyota rolled, three occupants were ejected.
The Kenworth went off the right side of the interstate, collided with a fence, then traveled over a culvert before it came to rest in an open field about 100 feet south of the highway.
Olmstead said the collision is still under investigation and no charges have been filed.
Two prosecutors from the district attorney’s office in Eagle and one victims advocate came to the scene, where they viewed the accident and were briefed by investigators, he said.
The crash occurred shortly after noon Monday about a mile east of the Eagle exit.
According to Kara Bettis, the Eagle County coroner, the deaths were caused by multiple injuries, including head trauma.
Bettis said one Toyota passenger was a female, possibly a teenager, and the other two appeared to be males, possibly in their 20s.
Seven survivors were brought to the Vail Valley Medical Center for treatment.
Two critically injured passengers were evaluated and stabilized in Vail prior to being transported by helicopter to Denver Health Medical Center.
Customs officials and the State Patrol are trying to identify the people in the Toyota.
Staff writer Howard Pankratz can be reached at 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
