A head-on collision on Interstate 70 near the Utah border killed one person and sent at least five others to the hospital Monday, with the Colorado State Patrol leading the investigation.

At approximately 11:36 a.m., Colorado State Patrol responded to a REDDI report of a gray sedan traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound in the westbound lanes on I-70, passing Rabbit Valley, just west of Loma. At approximately 11:41 a.m., a head-on crash was reported involving a tan Subaru Outback and a white Ford F150 at milepost 4. The Subaru Outback became engulfed in flames.

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The driver of the Subaru was pronounced dead on scene. The identity of the driver will be released by the Mesa County Coroner once next of kin has been notified.

Preliminary investigation indicates at least five occupants were in the Ford F150, including two minors. All were transported to a local area hospital. The extent of injuries is unknown. There were also initial reports of a trapped party; which vehicle that individual was associated with is unknown.

The Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit is the lead agency. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Westbound I-70 was closed near milepost 4 during the investigation. Traffic was diverted onto Highway 6 and Highway 139 at milepost 15.