Four killed in I-25 pileup south of Pueblo; investigators release victim details
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Four people were killed and at least 29 others were injured in a large multi-vehicle crash Tuesday on Interstate 25 south of Pueblo, where blowing dust created near-zero visibility, authorities said as the investigation continued.
The Colorado State Patrol said the fatal crash occurred around 10:00 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-25 near milepost 92, just south of Pueblo Boulevard. The crash involved 36 vehicles — 29 passenger vehicles and seven semi-trucks — according to investigators.
All four fatalities and all reported injuries resulted from the northbound crash. A separate crash occurred nearby in the southbound lanes and resulted in property damage only.
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Authorities said the four people killed were two adult men from Walsenburg and two adult women, one from Rye and one from Pueblo. Their identities will be released by the Pueblo County Coroner’s Office after next of kin have been notified.
Of the 29 people transported to two area hospitals, seven sustained serious bodily injuries, one was listed in critical condition and the remaining 21 were treated for moderate to minor injuries, investigators said.
Troopers said heavy winds at the time of the crash were blowing dirt across the roadway, creating “brown out” conditions with little to no visibility for motorists.
Southbound I-25 reopened later Tuesday after crews cleared vehicles from those lanes. Northbound lanes remained closed for an extended period, with a detour in place from Exit 91 to Exit 94 while investigators worked to remove vehicles and document the scene.
Investigators also reported that one of the northbound vehicles involved was a pickup truck hauling a gooseneck trailer carrying goats. Four of the animals died, while 28 survived and were safely removed from the scene.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit.