Interstate I-70 recently reopened through Glenwood Canyon following a 17-vehicle car crash. As officials stated, the crash involved two commercial motor vehicles and 15 cars. I-70 was closed in both directions through Glenwood Canyon for more than two hours on Monday morning due to this crash, both directions reopened just before 2 p.m. Emergency crews arrived at the crash scene working to clear the incident, claimed state patrol. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, the closure was between exits 116, Glenwood Springs, and 133, Dotsero. The Colorado State Patrol posted photographs showing a mash-up of vehicles facing different directions and very slick ice on the interstate. 

With the recent changes in extreme weather and snow storms fading in and out, the canyon has been quite unpredictable for travel. Still, many choose to brave the interstate roads and accidents such as these result from simple mishaps: driving too fast with ice present, driving too fast with the inability to slow down due to snow packing and ice packing, and less commonly, simple inattentional blindness of drivers. The canyon has gone through many closures in the past few months, making it hard for critical trips over the passes to be possible.

Unfortunately, the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office said there were injuries in the crash, but it is unclear how bad those who were injured were hurt or how many total injuries took place. There is also no known cause of the crash at this point. However, it is fairly safe to assume that prolonged snowfall, leading to packing of snow and ice, was a cause of this extreme crash. With the continuous snowfall in these areas, since around the middle of last week, driving continues to be a risky choice. If you make any trips over the mountains, take heed of this often treacherous weather.