Deadly multi-vehicle crash closes eastbound I-70 in Colorado's mountains

A deadly crash closed eastbound lanes of I-70 in Clear Creek County in Colorado's mountains on Thursday morning. According to the Colorado State Patrol, the multi-vehicle crash happened just before 9 a.m. 

According to CSP, troopers responded to the deadly crash at 8:53 a.m. at mile marker 218. The crash involved a Colorado Department of Transportation plow and a Sprinter van transporting a hockey team from California, and two additional passenger vehicles. 

Investigators said there were 10 people in the Sprinter van. Seven passengers were transported by ground ambulance to the hospital. Four of those are juveniles and three are adults. In addition, one juvenile was rushed by medical helicopter to a trauma center with critical injuries. CSP said one adult male passenger refused to be transported to the hospital. The driver of the Sprinter van was declared deceased on scene. 

The two other vehicles involved remained on scene and investigators said there were no reports of injuries from those vehicles. 

Denver Health confirmed that seven patients involved in the crash were being treated there. The patients include four children in good condition and three adults, two of which are in fair condition and one in serious condition. 

Investigators said the crash involved both directions of I-70, with eastbound lanes closed and westbound lanes moving slowly. 

An image of the Sprinter van on its side, down the hill from the crash site on the interstate, was posted on Clear Creek County's Facebook page. 

What caused the crash is being investigated by the Colorado State Patrol. According to the CDOT cameras, winter driving conditions were visible with snow-covered and wet roads in the area. 

Eastbound lanes of I-70 were closed at mile marker 216 at 9:10 a.m. but it was extended to exit 205- Silverthorne at a later time. 

There was no estimate on when the interstate would reopen. 

There were significant traffic backups in the area during the closure. Drivers were advised to take an alternate route. Emergency officials at the scene discouraged drivers from using U.s. 6/ Loveland Pass at the time due to extreme weather conditions.