JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colorado – Colorado’s I-70 was closed in both directions near Morrison on Thursday after a crash caused a tanker fire along the highway. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, one fatality was confirmed at the scene, while the truck driver was transported to the hospital.
Based on the Sheriff’s Office social media, firefighters were able to put out a majority of the fire and a hazmat crew was requested to complete the cleanup. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office worked alongside the Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Department of transportation, in addition to multiple fire departments.
According to Denver 7, smoke from the fire was visible from miles away around 10:30am local time, prior to the burn’s extinguishing. More than 20 emergency vehicles and other responders were on the scene, and the highway was expecting to remain closed for quite a while. An investigation into the crash will likely take quite a while, and Denver7 Traffic Expert Jayson Luber did say that this was one of the worst crashed he’s seen.
As of 11:24 A.M. local time, the Colorado Department of Transportation reports that both directions of I-70 remain closed between Exit 256: Lookout Mountain and Exit 259: Morrison Road. Those hoping to get into the mountains from Denver should seek alternative routes.
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