Fatality on mountain pass in Colorado after vehicle exited lane resulting in head-on crash

A fatal accident took place on Colorado's Berthoud Pass last Friday, involving a head-on collision.

According to Colorado State Trooper Gabriel Moltrer, the accident took place at about 3:21 p.m. on April 19, involving a Toyota Highlander and a Nissan Rogue.

The 19-year-old male driver of the Toyota Highlander (from Centennial) was traveling eastbound on US Highway 40 around mile marker 251, which is south of the Berthoud Pass Summit in the area of Clear Creek picnic area, when he left his lane, striking the Nissan Rogue head-on. The Nissan Rogue was being driven by a 75-year-old female with a 75-year-old male passenger, both out of Granby.

Both the 19-year-old and the 75-year-old female were transported to the hospital with serious injuries resulting from the wreck, with the 75-year-old male pronounced deceased at the scene. Seatbelts were being used by all three parties involved, though the 75-year-old female was still ejected from the vehicle during the crash.

Both vehicles remained on the roadway.

This portion of US 40 has two lanes headed westbound and one lane headed eastbound, with passing allowed for eastbound travelers during some brief stretches of road way. Whether or not the accident took place in a passing zone was not mentioned in provided details on the matter.

Neither drugs nor alcohol nor excessive speeding are suspected to be factors in the wreck at this time.

Condolences go out to those impacted by this tragic accident and the resulting death.

Berthoud Pass is known for connecting the I-70 corridor to the Winter Park and Grand County area.

Many of Colorado's mountain roads can be narrow, putting two-way traffic only inches apart. For everyone's safety, make sure to stay in the correct lane and only pass where allowed and when there's enough room to do so.