1 Killed When Shuttle Van Rolls Over After Crash On I-25

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- A 15-passenger airport shuttle was involved in a deadly crash on Interstate 25 on Tuesday morning. One person was killed and several others were injured.

The two-vehicle crash happened about 8:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-25 at County Road 22, near Exit 240, one mile south of Highway 119.

Colorado State Trooper Josh Lewis told CBS4 that the 2011 Chevy passenger van was traveling in the left northbound lane on I-25 and changed lanes, striking a white 2006 Chevy sedan. The van skidded off the road and into the grassy strip where it rolled.

No one was ejected but one passenger, a 72-year-old man inside the van, died. Five other occupants of the van, including the driver, were rushed to the hospital with unknown injuries. The adult male driver of the sedan and an adult female passenger, were not injured.

Two lanes of traffic were still getting by the crash, but after miles of delays and backups, traffic was moving slowly in that area hours later.

There could be more lane closures depending on the investigation and cleanup.

Authorities urge drivers to be patient when dealing with a serious crash and traffic backups to prevent more accidents.

"I understand it's a slowdown but when they start illegally coming off the interstate, we have another risk of a crash because people aren't expecting cars to come off the interstate where ever they feel," said Lewis. "If they would just be patient and continue on their way, we can get them past the scene and they can continue," said Colorado State Patrol Cpl. Dave Siesken.

Copter4 flew over the crash, which showed a van with the works "Estes Park Shuttle" on the side and "Aiport Service" on the front. There was also the sedan parked on the median, along with several emergency vehicles.

Troopers continue to investigate whether seat belts were worn but say drugs and/or alcohol are not considered as factors.

Investigators are asking anyone who witnesses the crash or events leading up to it to call Trooper Yoder with information at 970-590-7196.

Federal safety agencies have long warned of dangers involving 15-passenger vans. That's because 60 percent of the fatalities related to them involved roll overs.

Five Oregon firefighters were killed near Parachute, Colorado in 2002.

The year before, five members of the Hmong Alliance Church in Westminster died when their van rolled in Idaho.

Tests have shown the vans are more likely to roll when heavily loaded.