A large, chain-reaction pileup involving at least 75 cars occurred on a highway in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains on Tuesday, according to authorities. The chaotic scene unfolded on Interstate 70 near the Loveland Ski Area, west of Denver.
The Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office reported that the pileup began at around 2:50 p.m. It started at the eastbound on-ramp from Highway 6 to I-70 at mile marker 216 near the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel.
The initial cause of the massive pileup is under investigation by the Colorado State Patrol. However, the roads, according to CBS News, became dangerously slick in a short time due to a sudden burst of heavy snow and 30- to 35-mph wind gusts.
The pileup caused lane closures on eastbound I-70, which continued well into Tuesday night. In order to allow access to first responders, the left lane of I-70 westbound was also temporarily closed. Both lanes were eventually reopened to traffic around 8 p.m.
Nineteen people were assessed for injuries at the scene, according to the Colorado State Patrol. Eight were transported to a nearby hospital, one with serious injuries.
According to the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office, the 75-car collision came after a hectic morning that saw six different car accidents, most of which occurred on the same highway. Five of the crashes occurred on I-70 westbound near mile marker 221.
The westbound lanes on I-70 on Vail Pass were also forced to close on Tuesday afternoon due to a crash involving multiple vehicles. Additionally, Highway 40 was closed due to an accident on Berthoud Pass close to Winter Park.