One driver was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries early Sunday after two vehicles struck a horse on Interstate 70 in western Colorado, authorities said.

The crash occurred about 1:37 a.m. Sunday on eastbound Interstate 70 near milepost 22, west of Fruita, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

Investigators said a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by a 41-year-old man from Grand Junction and a Ford F-250 driven by a 17-year-old male from Peyton were both traveling eastbound when a horse entered the roadway and moved in front of the vehicles. Both vehicles struck the animal.

After the initial impact, the Land Cruiser rolled and came to rest on its roof. The driver was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford was not injured and was not taken to a hospital.

The crash temporarily blocked Interstate 70 while emergency crews removed the vehicles and the horse from the roadway. The interstate reopened shortly before 5:00 a.m.

Colorado State Patrol is leading the investigation and is asking anyone who witnessed the crash and has not yet spoken with investigators to contact its dispatch center and reference case number 4A260128.