Colorado drivers know about the dangers that can result from even one moment of distraction when operating a motor vehicle. Car accidents can and do happen all too easily when a driver looks away from the road to change the radio station, use a cellphone or even talk with passengers. One of these actions may have been what caused a horrific crash that killed a 19-year-old and seriously injured two passengers.
The crash happened on a recent Saturday afternoon at a highway intersection in Fremont County, just west of Canon City. According to the Colorado State Patrol, a vehicle had been making a left turn into an eastbound lane when a westbound International Bus collided with it. The 19-year-old male driver of the car, who lived in a different state, was transported to a local hospital. Sadly, once there, he was pronounced dead.
Two passengers in the vehicle that was hit suffered serious injuries in the crash and were taken to a nearby hospital. The bus driver, a 69-year-old man who lived locally, suffered a minor injury, but he did not require hospital care. Reportedly, both drivers and the passengers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. Police are still investigating the incident, although they have stated that speed and alcohol are not factors.
The Colorado State Patrol has not yet officially determined what caused the accident. However, when the investigation is completed, the evidence may very well indicate that distraction on the part of the truck driver ended this young man’s life and resulted in serious injuries for two others. People who have been injured in car accidents under similar circumstances, or who have lost a loved one in such situations, often seek the guidance of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney, as monetary restitution may be possible.