PUEBLO COUNTY — A fatal accident on southbound I-25 involving a semi-truck closed lanes near Burnt Mill Road (at exit 88) on Friday for nearly nine hours, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).
It happened just after 7:00 a.m. near the exit between Pueblo and Colorado City.
Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and Rye Fire responded to the crash. The Pueblo County Sheriff's Office provided traffic control and stabilization of the truck at the scene.
Pueblo County Sheriff’s deputies & PCSO Emergency Services fire team provided mutual aid to Colo State Patrol & Rye Fire on 1-vehicle accident this morning on I-25, MM88, south of Pueblo. PCSO personnel assisted with traffic control/monitoring stabilization of truck/trailer.(1/3) pic.twitter.com/QW9i0mhMpx
— PuebloCounty Sheriff (@PuebloCountySO) August 18, 2023
The semi-truck was hauling boxes of hamburger patties, according to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office. The driver of the truck was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two dogs were also in the truck at the time of the crash, and the sheriff's office says that one of the dogs died, and the other was rescued.
The truck was hanging off the bridge on southbound I-25 for several hours. The Pueblo County Coroner's Office identified the driver as 33-year-old Denzal Jamal Stewart of Bryan, TX.
The below agencies assisted in clearing the crash:
- American Medical Response
- Pueblo Rural Fire
- Pueblo West Fire
- Flight for Life
- Pueblo County Fire
- Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. According to CDOT, southbound I-25 reopened just before 4:45 p.m. Friday.
Editor's Note: Colorado State Patrol initially informed News5 that this was a two-vehicle accident. After further investigation, the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the crash only involved the semi-truck.
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