A Nevada truck driver was killed and another motorist hospitalized in a grisly turn of events this morning on Interstate 70 near Grand Junction.
The truck driver, Paul Dobson, 50, was pulling out from a rest area about 7:20 this morning and merging into westbound traffic when he clipped a car and sent it skidding and turning into the grass median, authorities said.
Dobson pulled over to the side of the road to check on the motorist and was struck by a Ford Ranger pickup while trying to walk across the interstate, the Colorado State Patrol said.
He was thrown several hundred feet into the median and died at the scene, authorities said.
The motorist in the car, who was not identified, was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
The pickup driver, James D. Wilson of Rifle, drove another 2 miles before realizing he had hit someone, authorities said.
After further investigation, troopers arrested Wilson and booked him into the Mesa County Jail on two felony charges stemming from the incident. Wilson faces charges of failing to remain at the scene and failing to render aid after an accident involving death, authorities said.
Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a contributing factor in this crash, authorities said.
Staff writer Manny Gonzales can be reached at 303-954-1537 or mgonzales@denverpost.com.
