Colorado State Patrol Details Cause of Deadly I-25 Pileup Near Pueblo in Preliminary Report
State troopers say brown-out conditions contributed to a chain reaction triggered by an initial rear-end crash.
Overview
- Five people were killed in the Feb. 17 pileup that involved 29 passenger vehicles and seven semis on I-25 south of Pueblo.
- Investigators say a 2016 Ford Escape rear-ended a 2011 GMC Sierra traveling about 15–20 mph in a 75 mph zone, disabling the Escape in the left lane.
- A slowing 2004 Kenworth W900 was then sideswiped by a 2011 Ram 3500 whose trailer detached before the Ram collided with the Sierra, creating a blockage that precipitated dozens of subsequent impacts.
- Colorado State Patrol released an updated casualty list, identifying the deceased as David L. Kirscht, Scott L. Kirscht, Thomas Thayer, Mary Sue Thayer, and Karen Ann Marsh.
- CSP says numerous vehicle sequences remain under investigation, notes the Escape’s speed has not been determined, and reiterates that low visibility drove the need to slow down.