Eastbound Interstate 70 reopened shortly after midnight Saturday after a rollover crash caused the highway to be closed for hours in both directions near Glenwood Springs on Friday.
The crash occurred early Friday afternoon and involved a semi truck. The eastbound lanes were expected to be closed for at least 12 hours while emergency crews investigated and worked to clear debris from the highway.
The wreck happened in the eastbound lanes between exits 123 and 125 in Glenwood Canyon, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Exit 125 is the Hanging Lake exit.
CDOT also closed the westbound lanes so emergency crews can assist but reopened them after about two hours on Friday afternoon.
Colorado State Patrol anticipated the eastbound lanes would remain closed until at least 2 a.m. Saturday, but they reopened shortly after midnight, .
CSP shared a photo of the highway that showed a tractor trailer blocking all eastbound lanes and called it a “serious crash.” The driver of the truck, a 54-year-old man, had to be cut from the wreckage using the Jaws of Life, state patrol officials reported. He was airlifted to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. No update has been provided on his condition.
⛔️OVERNIGHT EMERGENCY ROAD CLOSURE⛔️
I-70 EB through following serious crash. Early est. for eastbound being re-opened is 12 HOURS.
I-70 EB is CLOSED at MP 109 (Canyon Creek) for local access ONLY. All others, for alt route.— CSP Eagle (@CSP_Eagle)
Denver Post staff writer Joe Rubino contributed to this report.
