A truck driver probably fell asleep before his tractor-trailer crashed and exploded, killing two people and shutting down Interstate 70 for hours near Grand Junction, police said Thursday.
The driver and a female passenger were ejected from the truck and died at the scene, police said. Neither their names nor the name of the trucking company had been released. Police did say the two started their trip in Denver.
The truck was carrying a form of bleach and other cargo when it crashed into the support pillar of an overpass and burst into flames about 2:45 a.m. Wednesday.
Colorado Department of Transportation crews along with private contractors worked through the night shoring up the damaged bridge with steel supports.
Traffic was flowing in both directions Thursday after authorities reopened one westbound lane. One eastbound lane opened Wednesday, and a second opened Thursday.
The Road 26.5 bridge over I-70 will not be open until permanent repairs are made, although bicyclists and pedestrians can use it.
The damage comes at the height of the tourist season, with up to 19,000 vehicles a day using the interstate, which runs along the north side of Grand Junction. Some traffic will continue to be diverted along the I-70 business loop through town, as well as onto U.S. 6 and U.S. 50.
