From the Vail Daily
DOTSERO, Colorado — A semi traveling west on Interstate 70 rolled and spilled large steel pipes in the east lanes, leading authorities to close the interstate east of Glenwood Canyon in both directions, authorities said.
The semi and another semi, which was not pulling a trailer, and a minivan were involved in the crash, which occurred shortly after 3 p.m. Monday, said Nancy Shanks, spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Transportation.
“They’re working to get things removed from the westbound lanes,” said Shanks, who did not have an estimate of when the interstate would open.
Other details of the crash were not immediately available, but Chief Dave Vroman of the Gypsum Fire District said at least two people were taken to the hospital.
The crash caused a half-acre wildland fire in the median that Gypsum firefighters extinguished, Vroman said. Authorities did not know exactly what led the grass to catch fire, but Vroman said the grass along the interstate is extremely dry, he said.
“It doesn’t take much” for a fire to start, he said.
Drivers are asked to exit at Dotsero if headed west on the interstate. Traffic is backed up for three miles in the west lanes of the interstate leading to the crash, Vroman said.
This story will be updated today on vaildaily.com. Staff Writer Steve Lynn can be reached at 970-748-2931 or
slynn@vaildaily.com.