Two adults, child killed in semi crash on I-70 westbound, interstate reopened

An early morning semi-truck crash near Silverthorne killed two adults and a child, and caused westbound Interstate 70 to close for approximately 12 hours, according to Colorado State Patrol.

The crash was first reported around 5:45 a.m. near milepost 208. CSP said a Freightliner Cascadia was hauling a trailer as it traveled west on a downhill straightaway when it went off the right side of the road as it approached the curve. The semi pulled back onto the road and struck a barrier before rolling across the road and catching fire. The semi came to a stop, blocking all lanes.

Photos posted by CSP show a large quantity of dog food in the trailer.

Everyone in the truck was killed, but due to the "extensive damage" and fire, it took time to determine how many people had been in the truck.

In an update Sunday night, CSP said the driver, a 37-year-old woman from Deming, N.M., was pronounced dead at the scene. Some time later, authorities found the bodies of the passengers, a 39-year-old man from Deming and a 9-year-old girl from Jacksonville, Fla. They were also pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities said the Summit County Coroner's Office will identify the deceased after their next of kin have been notified. The crash remains under investigation, and CSP requested anyone who witnessed it and has not spoken to investigators to contact CSP Dispatch at (970) 249-4392 and reference VC250372.

There was no estimated time for reopening of the highway, and CSP warned drivers to expect an "extended closure" as the investigation and removal of the wreckage continued. At 6 p.m., CDOT said all lanes of traffic were reopened.

The Eisenhower Tunnel, just east of the site of the crash, saw 548,602 vehicles travelling westbound in September, with a daily average of over 37,000 vehicles going in either direction in that area, according to CDOT.