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1 dead in Archuleta County crash

Two truck drivers also injured; 1 taken to Mercy

The driver of a car was killed early Sunday morning on U.S. Highway 160 just east of the La Plata-Archuleta County line after a head-on collision with a semitrailer loaded with coal.

The accident occurred about 1 a.m. at mile marker 111, said officials.

The Colorado State Patrol, Upper Pine River Fire Protection District, the Pagosa Springs Fire District, Upper San Juan Emergency Medical Services and Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched.

First responders found the car about 100 feet off the road and down an embankment, engulfed in flames. According to a news release, burns and injuries suffered by the driver were fatal.

The two drivers of the coal truck, which was carrying coal from the King Mine, near Hesperus, to Pueblo for use in a steel mill, were treated for minor injuries. One of the drivers was taken to Mercy Regional Medical Center as the truck’s cab caught fire, and flames spread to the coal.

Hazardous materials teams from the Colorado Department of Transportation, Colorado State Patrol and Archuleta County cleared the road.

Upper Pine River Fire Chief Bruce Evans said heavy equipment had to be used to disassemble the coal truck to fully extinguish it.

The highway was closed and traffic was diverted to Colorado Highway 151. U.S. Highway 160 reopened about 8 a.m.

No names were released Sunday, and officials are still working on a final identification of the car.

bmathis@durangoherald.com



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