Semi traveling on I-70 west of Denver leaves road, crashes onto 6th Avenue below

A semi traveling eastbound on I-70 left the road and landed on 6th Avenue below, causing lane closures and massive traffic delays west of Denver on Thursday. The crash happened about 11:15 a.m. Thursday, near where I-70 crosses over 6th Avenue in Jefferson County, according to Golden police. 

According to Golden police, officers, Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies and troopers from the Colorado State Patrol responded to a collision involving a semi truck carrying gravel and another vehicle on eastbound I-70 and US Highway 6. Officers said the preliminary investigation indicates the semi collided with the vehicle, left the roadway and went down an embankment at the bridge over Highway 6. The truck came to rest in the center median of Highway 6, blocking all eastbound lanes. 

The driver of the passenger vehicle was not injured. The semi driver was injured and taken to the hospital. 

Golden police said a significant amount of diesel fuel spilled, along with gravel, as a result of the crash. Cleanup crews remained on scene for the hazardous materials cleanup. 

Eastbound lanes of 6th Avenue were closed to traffic around the crash for an extended period. All lanes reopened about 10:30 p.m. Thursday. 

The eastbound lanes of I-70 were also closed between C470 and 6th Avenue for about an hour after the crash.