A semitruck loaded with corrugated metal and 2023 Toyota 4Runner crashed south of Silverton on U.S. Highway 550 on Tuesday afternoon, backing up traffic in both directions and leaving at least one person with minor injuries.
Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Adair Christensen said the highway was closed from about 6 to 7:15 p.m. a quarter mile south of Silverton while a tow truck moved the tractor trailer.
“The tow recovery went much quicker than we had anticipated,” she said in a text message to The Durango Herald.
The highway reopened to one-lane alternating traffic while crews continued to clear debris Tuesday night.
A tow truck hauled the semi to a nearby pullout and the scene was totally cleared by 8:45 p.m. Tuesday. The truck was transported to Durango on Wednesday.
Images showed the wrecked tractor trailer sitting on its side, trailer hanging off the road, along Highway 550 near mile post 70, just below of the final sharp curve as drivers heading north descend into Silverton.
Both vehicles involved were registered in Texas, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
The crash occurred about 2:45 p.m., Christensen said. Crews used sand to mitigate a small oil spill. Initial reports incorrectly stated the vehicle was leaking fuel, rather than oil.
Although preliminary reports stated that the driver of the semi was taken to CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital in Durango in an ambulance, CSP Sgt. Ben Stegert said that it was a passenger in the tractor trailer that was transported with minor injuries while the driver remained on scene. There was no indication that the driver of the 4Runner had been injured.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
This story has been updated to reflect that crews used sand, not fans, to mitigate spilled fuel.
