A traffic wreck in northern Colorado involving three vehicles has killed two women, both of them professors at the University of Wyoming.
The crash happened about 4:05 p.m. Thursday on U.S. Highway 287 about 9 miles south of the Wyoming border, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
According to the State Patrol, a 2005 Toyota Tacoma heading north spun out of control into the oncoming lane, hitting a 2006 Honda Pilot and 2007 Jeep Laredo.
After being hit, the Honda, carrying a family from Idaho, ran off the highway and down an embankment rolling on its side. The Jeep and Toyota came to a stop on the highway.
Two woman in the Toyota, Carol L. Macnee, the 59-year-old driver, and Susan M. McCabe, 54, a passenger, both died in the crash. They were both from Laramie. University of Wyoming officials said both women were professors at the school of nursing.
Three family members, including a 3-year-old child, from Idaho were injured in the crash.
The driver of the Honda, Robert J. McKernan, 43, and passenger Kara M. McKernan, 31, both of Driggs, Idaho, suffered serious injuries. Robert McKernan was taken to the Medical Center of the Rockies and Kara McKernan was taken to the Poudre Valley Hospital. Three-year-old Irelyn McKernan was also injured and was taken to the Medical Center of the Rockies.
The driver of the Jeep, Gary E. Alchin, 51, of Firestone suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. A passenger in the Jeep, Dean Miller, 57, of Aurora, was taken to the Medical Center of the Rockies with serious injuries.
Investigators said driving too fast in inclement road and weather conditions likely contributed to the crash, which remains under investigation.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
