Fatal crash involving CDOT plow kills driver of van carrying California girls’ hockey team on I-70

UPDATE (Thursday, 4:00 p.m.) — The Colorado State Patrol said that the plow truck which struck a van carrying hockey players lost control and broke through the interstate median, setting off a chain of other collisions.

Additionally, station KABC confirmed that the team is the SC Flyers girls’ hockey team out of Santa Clarita, California, according to the president of the team. The team president also said that all of the players are in the hospital but appear to be in “ok condition.”

According to the team’s website, the team was slated for a match at the Edge Ice Arena in Littleton against the Utah Lady Grizzlies on Friday at 8:45 a.m.

The state patrol provided the timeline of events. First, the plow driver lost control. Then, the plow broke through the interstate median and cable rail into the eastbound lanes where it crashed into a Toyota Tacoma.

The Tacoma, following the impact, then crashed through the median and hit a third vehicle, a BMW. The plow continued eastbound, where it collided with the sprinter van carrying a team of hockey players. The impact knocked the van down an embankment, and the plow stopped on the shoulder.

The state patrol said that it does not know the condition of the people taken from the scene of the crash this morning. However, officials confirmed that no one in the other three cars was injured.

The crash remains under investigation, and more information is expected to emerge as time goes on.

Both lanes of I-70 were reopened Thursday afternoon.

UPDATE (Thursday, 12:35 p.m.) — The Colorado State Patrol has confirmed that one of the five juveniles injured in the crash has been airlifted to a trauma center for critical injuries.

SILVERTHORNE, Colo. (KKCO) — A fatal crash occurred Thursday morning around 8:50 a.m. on eastbound I-70 by Silverthorne.

The Colorado State Patrol said the crash involved a CDOT plow and a sprinter van carrying a hockey team from California, as well as two passenger vehicles.

At least eight people — including five juveniles — were taken by ambulance to a hospital with unspecified injuries. The driver of the sprinter van was declared dead at the scene of the incident.

The identity of the deceased will be released later by the Clear Creek County coroner.

The Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit is currently investigating the crash and will release more information as it becomes available.

As of 11:30 a.m. Thursday, eastbound I-70 remained closed between Exit 203 (CO 9; East Frisco) and Exit 205 (US 6; CO 9; Silverthorne) at mile marker 205.

Drivers planning to drive eastbound on I-70 today are also being cautioned to expect delays because of the closures.