JEFFERSON COUNTY – A man was airlifted to an area hospital Monday afternoon after the semi truck he was driving rolled off the highway.
Colorado State Patrol closed Colorado Highway 8 in both directions near Highway 285 to clean up the accident.
The flatbed semi went off the road near the intersection at around 12:40 p.m. as the driver was heading north on 285 out of Turkey Creek Canyon.
State Patrol says when the driver, David Hickman, turned onto the Colorado 8 exit ramp, he lost control, swerved and crashed through the guardrail. The semi plunged 75 feet down a steep embankment, rolling once on the way down.
Hickman was trapped inside the truck's cab for about 30 minutes while rescuers worked to get him out.
After he was freed, Hickman was flown to St. Anthony Central with serious injuries, but his exact condition and identity was not immediately released.
A witness at the scene told 9NEWS the man was awake and talking before he was put on the helicopter.
No other cars were involved and State Patrol is still investigating the incident.
