A motorist was hospitalized today with moderate injuries in rural eastern Colorado after his propane truck rolled on U.S. 24, authorities say.
Kevin Tracy, 46, of Simla, was flown by helicopter to Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs for treatment, said Trooper Ryan Sullivan of the Colorado State Patrol.
Tracy was driving west on the highway when he became distracted by looking at the floor of the truck and drifted off the right side of the highway, Sullivan said.
The home-delivery truck was carrying about 2,300 gallons of propane when it rolled onto its side. During the crash, a leak sprang from a control box at the rear of the vehicle and flames shot out about five feet, Sullivan said.
Colorado state troopers let the fire burn out for fear that it could trigger a gas explosion, Sullivan said.
“Whenever you’re dealing with a pressurized tank, you want to give it as much space as you can,” Sullivan said.
The town of Matheson, with a population of about 100 people, was evacuated because of the potential for an explosion, Sullivan said. Troopers also closed the highway from Limon to Simla.
Matheson is about one mile from where the accident happened.
By 5:20 p.m., there was no pressure left in the tank and it was safe to put the fire out, he said.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
