Hockey community rallies around injured team after crash with snowplow in Colorado mountains
A crash on I-70 involving a CDOT plow and a van carrying a youth hockey team has killed one person and injured eight others. The crash closed the eastbound lanes of I-70 in Clear Creek County in Colorado's mountains for several hours on Thursday.
According to the Colorado State Patrol, troopers responded to the deadly crash at 8:53 a.m. at mile marker 218. The crash involved a Colorado Department of Transportation plow, a Sprinter van transporting a hockey team from California, and two additional passenger vehicles.
The Santa Clarita Lady Flyers team plays at the 12AA level. That's typically kids 11 and 12, but can include advanced younger players. They had a game scheduled in the morning in a Girls' tournament run by the Western Girls Hockey League at Edge Ice Arena in Littleton.
CSP says the plow driver crashed into a pickup and into the van carrying the team, pushing the van down a hillside.
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, who was the father of one of the players on the team, 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.
"This event was a big tragedy with a lot of people injured. Denver was able to take seven patients from this. And maintain our normal operations and take care of all seven," said Dr. Eric Lavonas, Emergency Medicine Physician for Denver Health. "Right now, we have three adults who were admitted to the hospital. Two in fair condition, one in serious condition. We have four children of various ages with minor injuries who are in good condition."
"It was all hands on deck," Dr. Lavonas explained. "A lot of work to do to get everybody seen and assessed quickly. But that's what we do. We're a busy Level One trauma center for adults and a busy Level II trauma center for children. And we got everybody taken care of."
Dr. Lavonas said that some of the injured adults suffered internal injuries and will require further treatment. The children escaped the crash with minor injuries.
"Fortunately, the children have a lot of bruises and scrapes and cuts. All stuff that is easily managed," he added. "They're a very brave and stoic great group of people. They're leaning on each other as their friends and their teammates, supporting each other well."
Already, the local hockey community is stepping in. Some local hockey moms say they plan to be at the rink this weekend to show support.
The Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation also stepped in. The non-profit raises money for ill or injured players and their families.
"As soon as I heard that earlier today, I got multiple text messages throughout the day, and a few phone calls about, asking, have you heard about this?" said Dawg Nation President Martin Richardson. The foundation has already mounted a fundraiser.
"We started a link, and that's really what we kind of do. Dog Nation started with a passing of a hat in our own locker room, and this is kind of a passing of the hat throughout the hockey community for this family. And so that link's already up and up on our webpage, and we haven't determined the exact amount, but we are definitely matching part of that."
As of Saturday morning, Dawg Nation hockey has raised over $32,000, including a match that will be provided by the nonprofit. The money raised in the fundraiser through the Dawg Nation website will go to affected families.
"My heart goes out to the family, especially for the family that lost, lost their loved one, and, and for the ones that really are on pins and needles with folks in the hospital right now. But I would say, that you're not alone. You're going to notice, and you're going to see that the hockey community has your back. And, you know, it might not seem like it right now, but there's so many people that are going to support you, and love you and get you through this."
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.
