Interstate 70 is closed in both directions in the western Denver metropolitan area after a tanker truck crash caused a fire and killed one person. As a result, traffic was backed up for miles in both directions late Thursday morning.
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The accident occurred just before 9:30 a.m. and involved a tanker truck and one other vehicle. The tanker overheated and was parked on the side of the interstate when it crashed into the back of a tractor-trailer, Colorado State Patrol’s Golden said.
In addition to the deaths, authorities said the truck driver was also taken to the hospital.
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Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Tamara Rolison said the state is “working as hard as we can” to clean up the scene, investigate the fatal crash and reopen the interstate as soon as possible.
The impact caused fuel to leak through a culvert and into the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70. CSP said the culvert should be inspected for damage from the fire.
“We are working with emergency response units and are asking motorists to avoid the area due to delays,” Rolison said.
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CBS News A Colorado helicopter flew over the scene immediately after the accident and firefighters could be seen spraying the charred remains of the vehicle that crashed into the back of the tanker to extinguish the fire. The tanker was pulled over to the side of the lane closest to the median of a divided section of Interstate 70 near Morrison Road. Much of the interstate was blacked out.
According to the Jeffco Sheriff’s Office, when crews responded to the scene, the tanker was completely engulfed.
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Firefighters could also be seen spraying some charred brush from the side of the interstate near where the tanker was engulfed in flames.
“It was a very hot fire producing a lot of thick, toxic black smoke,” Arvada Fire spokesman Brady Johnson said.
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Just after 9:30 a.m., black smoke could be seen billowing from the accident scene across the Denver metro area.
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The Jeffco Sheriff’s Office said the road closure will likely extend into the afternoon, impacting afternoon driving. I-70 was closed in both directions from Exit 254 to US 40, Genesee and US 6.
Alternative routes for drivers are Route 40, which runs parallel to Interstate 70, or Route 6, which runs through Clear Creek Canyon, according to CDOT. CDOT said increased delays are expected on all alternative routes.
“Our CDOT crews are out on the scene helping with this effort. They’re on the scene as part of road closures and they’re on the scene to keep things as safe as possible. They are out on the scene and working in conjunction with other emergency responders,” Rolison said.
