LARIMER COUNTY — Authorities in Larimer County and Canada tonight released tentative identities of five adults and two children killed early Thursday when their SUV plunged off an overpass on Interstate 25 in northern Colorado.
The Larimer County Coroner identified the victims as: Jacob Rempel, 42 of Vauxhall, Alberta; Susana Rempel, 40 of Vauxhall, Alberta; Jacob Rempel Jr., 16 of Vauxhall, Alberta; Susana Rempel, 30 of Willingdom, Alberta; Johan Rempel, 3, of Willingdom, Alberta; Heinrich Rempel, 21 months, of Willingdom, Alberta; and John Dick, 33 of Taber, Alberta.
Next of kin have been notified and dental work is being used to confirm the identities of the seven.
All seven were in a 1992 Chevrolet Suburban that veered into the median on I-25 near Johnstown, about 4:30 a.m. It few off the overpass, traveling about 50 feet before hitting a concrete embankment and bursting into flames, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
Troopers at the scene said it was one of the worst accidents they had ever seen. Weather was not considered a factor in the crash.
Autopsies were conducted on the victims Friday to determine if drugs or alcohol contributed to the crash, said Larimer County Chief Deputy Coroner Debbie Reisdorff.
Weather has been ruled out as a contributing factor.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com.
