A Durango man died in a semitrailer crash Feb. 10 on Colorado Highway 141 near Slick Rock, according to the San Miguel Sheriff’s Office.
Lance G. Luedtke, age 37, was killed in the crash, San Miguel County Coroner Emil Sante said Thursday.
Luedtke was the sole driver of the 1992 International truck. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Colorado State Patrol.
The northbound semitrailer with a water tank overturned on a steep curve at mile marker 19 about 2 p.m. and left the roadway, according to the State Patrol and San Miguel Sheriff’s Office. The truck rolled onto its side and hit a big rock that collapsed the cab, officials said. Luedtke was wearing a seatbelt and died at the scene. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected factors in the crash. No one else was injured in the crash.
According to the crash report, a suspected cause of unsafe speed, said CSP Trooper Loving.
Colorado State Patrol Master Trooper Gary Cutler said investigators believe Luedtke was driving too fast, and when he pressed the brakes for the turn, the brakes couldn’t handle the weight.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family,” states a San Miguel Sheriff Facebook post.
The highway was closed for several hours in both directions after the crash. It reopened about 9:15 p.m. on Feb. 10.
Durango Herald reporter Jonathan Romeo contributed to this report.