Highway 83 Crash in Colorado Claims 5 Lives, Injures 2

A tragic accident on Highway 83 in Colorado resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including three children. The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) reported the incident occurred on Monday during dusk near the intersection of South Russellville Road, south of Franktown and east of Castle Rock.

Details of the Crash

The collision involved two vehicles: a Toyota Matrix and a Ford Fusion. The crash began when the Matrix, traveling south on Highway 83, veered onto the right shoulder. The driver overcorrected, rolling into oncoming traffic where it struck the Fusion head-on.

Casualties and Injuries

• The 31-year-old driver of the Matrix, not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected and died at the scene.
• A 35-year-old man driving the Fusion, along with three juvenile passengers—two boys aged 12 and 8, and a 12-year-old girl—were killed.
• Two other children, a 13-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy, were seriously injured and airlifted to the hospital.

Investigation Findings

CSP confirmed that the Toyota Matrix involved in the crash had been reported stolen earlier that day. The vehicle was taken during a carjacking at the Nine Mile Station parking structure in Aurora at approximately 3:45 PM.

According to the police report, the car owner was approached by a man asking for a ride. When she declined, he forcefully removed her from the driver’s seat and fled in the Matrix.

Traffic Disruption

Following the accident, Highway 83 was closed in both directions for several hours as authorities conducted an investigation and cleared the scene. Additionally, a separate crash in the Franktown area further complicated traffic, leading to the complete shutdown of both Highway 86 and Highway 83 at one point.

Franktown Fire Rescue described the situation as “complex” in a social media update.

Conclusion

This devastating event highlights issues related to road safety and the consequences of vehicle theft. As investigations continue, more information regarding the victims and the circumstances surrounding the crash is expected to emerge.