LARKSPUR, Colo.—Icy conditions played a role in a 34-vehicle pileup that temporarily shutdown Interstate 25 south of Denver.
The Colorado State Patrol said 12 people were taken to hospitals following Monday’s crashes near Larkspur, about 40 miles south of Denver. No one had life-threatening injuries.
Light snow fell in the area and the road was icy at the time.
Trooper Nate Reid said ice was a factor but investigators planned to talk to drivers involved to find out more about what triggered the pileup.
Ciara Montoya told The Gazette she was driving from Colorado Springs to Denver when she saw a semi hit the guard rail on the left side of the northbound lanes and rebound into the cab of another semi. She said she slammed on her brakes and slid underneath one of the trucks. A car then crashed into her.
“The roads didn’t look that bad. It was just a little area right on top of Monument Hill that was really icy,” Montoya said.
Some drivers said people were driving too fast for conditions and following other vehicles too closely.
There were three separate crashes involving a total of 34 vehicles, including five tractor-trailers. Northbound lanes were closed for about four hours.
