I-70 Eastbound Reopened Following Deadly Semi Crash & Fire

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DENVER (CBS4) - One person is dead following a two-vehicle crash and fire on Interstate 70 just after midnight Sunday morning.

The eastbound lanes of I-70 were reopened at around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Westbound lanes were re-opened at 5:30 a.m.

(credit: CBS4)

Officer Marika Putnam of the Denver Police Department said a semi pulling a refrigeration trailer collided with another vehicle, a pickup, that was merging on to the highway. The two vehicles collided and struck a jersey barrier. The semi's cab and trailer both caught fire.

The semi driver died. He was pronounced at the scene.

Putnam said the driver of the pickup ran from the scene. He was later found and arrested.

He is now being held by police for investigation of vehicular homicide. That charge is subject to change based on the results of the police investigation.

Putnam added that investigators are studying whether alcohol consumption or vehicle speed contributed to the crash.

(credit: CBS4)