
A semi truck drove off the side of a mountain pass Thursday afternoon, killing the driver and igniting a small forest fire.
It happened around 5 p.m. on September 21st on Interstate 70 in Vail, Colorado.
A serious single-vehicle semi crash left eastbound Vail Pass closed from 5:15 PM until 8:45 PM. pic.twitter.com/eVaTwhhl8q
— CSP Eagle (@CSP_Eagle) September 22, 2017
According to CBS Denver, the semi truck was traveling downhill on westbound I-70 when it lost control, crossed over the eastbound lanes and crashed, leaving part of the truck dangling off of the side of a mountain.
The force of the impact ignited the semi truck and started a small forest fire near the crash site.
The truck driver died in the crash.
Crews worked until 9:25 p.m. to put out the fire, clean up the area, and remove the semi from the side of the mountain, but were unable to finish the job that evening.
ADVISORY I-70 EB MM 183 E Vail full closure planned for this morning for vehicle recovery;Expect long delays;Detour EB US 24 to NB CO 91 to
— CDOT (@ColoradoDOT) September 22, 2017
Eastbound I-70 was shut down again on Friday morning to continue clean-up efforts. Crews are expected to finish around 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon.
Motorists are urged to use the Miniturn exit onto U.S. Highway 24 south as a detour.