MESA COUNTY, Colo. — A driver hit and killed two Colorado Department of Transportation employees who were working to fix a street sign in Mesa County before crashing the car on Wednesday, according to local authorities and the governor.
A person in the car also died, the Mesa County Sheriff's Office said.
The crash happened around 10:40 a.m. Wednesday on Front Street/US Highway 6, which closed from 34 Road to 35 Road, according to the sheriff's office. This is between Palisade and Clifton. The roadway reopened around 4 p.m.
Trooper Sherri Mendez with Colorado State Patrol (CSP) confirmed three people had died in the crash, including two CDOT workers. The third person was "an occupant" in a Jeep, she said.
In a press release published around 2 p.m., CSP said based on their initial investigation, the driver of a Jeep Grand Cherokee struck two CDOT employees and a parked CDOT vehicle, causing the Jeep to roll. The CDOT vehicle was parked off the right side of the road, CSP said. In a statement, Gov. Jared Polis said the two CDOT workers were fixing a street sign.
One person in the Jeep was transported to a local hospital and a second person in the Jeep died at the scene. Both CDOT workers died at the scene as well, CSP said.
Traffic was impacted for several hours. During that time, drivers were asked to use 33 Road, G Road and 35 Road to get around this crash, CDOT said.
The Mesa County Coroner’s Office will identify the people who died in this crash.
A press conference is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday, where CSP will provide more details. As of publishing time, no other information was available.
Colorado law requires a driver to slow down when passing an emergency vehicle, tow vehicle, or public utility vehicle — such as CDOT — that is parked on the side of the road. Drivers must slow to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit when they come across any disabled vehicle "and CDOT road crews are expressly and specially protected," AAA said on Wednesday. Failure to do so can result in a Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense and carries a fine up to $150 and a 3-point license violation. If a driver does not slow down or move over, and their actions result in a person's serious injury or death, that is upgraded to a Class 6 felony, which if convicted, can come with a prison sentence up to 18 months and fines up to $100,000.
"Anybody who's ever suffered a breakdown at the roadside will tell you just how scary it can be waiting for help as traffic whips by at highway speeds just inches away," said Skyler McKinley, regional director of public affairs for AAA. "Now imagine if that was your daily workplace. Coloradans have a responsibility to look out for the people who keep us safe and keep our roads moving. Slow down and move over — it's always the right thing to do, and it's the law, too."
Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) workers who were struck and killed earlier today in Mesa County. We share your sadness. This crash is currently under investigation by the Colorado State Patrol. pic.twitter.com/XXVDNySnfu
— Colorado State Patrol (@CSP_News) September 4, 2024
Gov. Polis released the following statement on Wednesday about the crash:
“Today in Mesa County, after stopping to the side of the road to fix a sign, two dedicated Colorado Department of Transportation employees were struck by a passing vehicle that led to the tragic loss of three lives and a fourth being hospitalized. I’m heartbroken by this horrible accident and my thoughts are with the families of the individuals, CDOT, and the communities. These Coloradans will be missed by their state, families, and communities. I speak for the entire state when I say that they will be missed."
School District 51 rerouted buses for Mount Garfield Middle School and Palisade High School. Neither school was affected by this crash otherwise, the sheriff's office said. To access the middle school, drivers were told to come in from the east on Highway 6.
Drivers headed from Clifton to Palisade were asked to use F Road or G Road to 35 Road, the sheriff's office said.
This story will be updated once more details are available.
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