DENVER (Journos News) – A series of crashes on Interstate 25 near Pueblo, Colorado, on Tuesday morning has left five people dead and dozens injured, authorities reported. The incidents involved more than 30 vehicles, including seven semitrailers, and were triggered by blinding dust blown across the highway by strong winds.
The Colorado State Patrol initially reported four fatalities and 29 injuries, but one hospitalized victim later succumbed to their injuries, bringing the death toll to five. Authorities described the conditions as a “brown out,” with visibility reduced to nearly zero due to dirt from parched land along the interstate.
Maj. Brian Lyons of the Colorado State Patrol said the dust and high winds made driving extremely dangerous. “Visibility was next to nothing,” he said. Gusts of up to 70 mph (113 kph) were recorded in the area by the National Weather Service, creating hazardous conditions for drivers and contributing to the multi-vehicle pileups.
Crashes and Response
The crashes occurred on both northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 25. While the southbound incidents resulted only in property damage, the northbound crashes caused serious injuries and fatalities. Injured victims were transported to local hospitals with conditions ranging from minor to severe.
Among the vehicles involved was a pickup truck hauling a livestock trailer carrying 30 sheep and one goat. The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region responded to assist the animals, some of which were trapped inside the damaged trailer while others ran loose. Four of the sheep were too severely injured to survive.
Ongoing Investigation
Trooper Sherri Mendez, a spokesperson for the state patrol, said the cause of the crashes remains under investigation. While the near-zero visibility due to dust is a primary factor, investigators are examining other potential causes as well.
The extreme winds and dry conditions that contributed to the highway crashes also posed broader hazards across eastern Colorado. Officials linked the weather to fanned wildfires and delays at Denver International Airport, underscoring the widespread impact of the unusually strong gusts combined with parched landscapes.
Authorities continue to urge caution on highways, particularly in areas prone to dust and high winds, as recovery and cleanup operations proceed.
Source: AP News – 5 dead in Colorado highway crashes after blowing dirt makes it hard to see
