The San Miguel County Sheriff’s reported about a terrifying incident that occurred on Black Bear Pass near Telluride over the weekend.
A woman and her Goldendoodle were both ejected from their Ford Bronco as it tumbled nearly 400′ down the pass. The woman sustained serious injuries, and the dog is being treated at a local vet with minor injuries.
According to the report, the vehicle was traveling the wrong way on the one-way pass and attempted to turn around after navigating a couple of the switchbacks. The passenger stepped out of the vehicle to help the driver turn around, but the vehicle’s wheels went high enough on an embankment that it began to roll.
Black Bear Pass is a challenging off-road route that has caused tragedy in the past. The road’s switchbacks are extremely dangerous. You can see them by zooming in on the map embedded below.
A woman and her two dogs were ejected from their Jeep last year in a very similar incident.
Our thoughts are with the woman who was injured, and we are wishing her a speedy recovery.
Read below for the full report from the San Miguel County Sheriff’s office:
“*Black Bear Pass and Bridal Veil Rd open since 10am Sunday after being closed to vehicle traffic at 745am due to vehicle rollover. The pass re-opened after the vehicle was cleared. Thank you for your patience. See below for details.
230pm Deputies have learned that the women were driving up Bridal Veil Road and entered the one-way Black Bear Pass going the wrong way. The passenger told Deputies they did not see the sign indicating the beginning of the one way pass. After a couple of switchbacks they decided it was best to turn around. The passenger then stepped of the vehicle to help the driver navigate, and while backing up, two of the wheels went high enough on the embankment to cause the vehicle to begin to roll. The 2021 Ford Bronco rolled off the cliff an estimated 400 feet, ejecting the driver, the dog, and the vehicle’s engine before coming to a stop.1045am Dog update: 1 year-old golden doodle “Chewy” treated for minor injuries, doing well.10am According to initial reports, driver is an out of state 23 year-old female who was ejected and suffered serious injuries. Her passenger was out of the vehicle when rollover occurred and not injured, and a dog was ejected and being treated at a local vet. Fortunately, no hikers or drivers of other vehicles were killed or injured by this falling car or associated debris.
Sheriff Masters wishes to thank TFPD, Telluride Marshal’s Deputies, and CSP for their efficient response and care and extends his best wishes to the driver for a good recovery from her serious injuries. Sheriff Masters also wants to remind everyone, “Black Bear Pass is an extremely dangerous road and should only be driven by experienced off-road drivers in appropriate off-road vehicles. Legally, a 16 year-old who got his driver’s license a few hours prior, may attempt to drive the pass in his grandmother’s 1980’s sedan. That doesn’t mean it’s safe to do so.”940am Deputies and wrecker on scene; estimated time for road and pass to be re-open is by 1030am.830am Black Bear Pass and Bridal Veil Rd are closed due to vehicle rollover. Will reopen after wrecker removes vehicle. Unknown ETA.Driver treated on scene by Telluride Fire Protection District medics and transported to Telluride Regional Medical Center for further care.”