A head-on crash involving a semitrailer and a Dodge SUV closed U.S. Highway 160 for three hours early Friday morning east of Cortez, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
A 30-year old female driver of the Dodge was transported to Southwest Memorial Hospital, said CSP Trooper Gary Cutler. She had non life-threatening injuries. The truck driver had minor injuries. Both vehicles had single occupants.
According to the incident report, the westbound Dodge had crossed the center line and was in the lane of the eastbound semitrailer when the crash occurred. The driver of the Dodge was issued a citation, according to Trooper Josh Lewis.
The crash occurred at mile post 46 near the entrance to Pueblo Community College around 4:15 a.m., Cutler said. The collision knocked the Dodge off the roadway, and the semitrailer had damage to its front end.
One lane with alternating traffic had been opened at 7:15 a.m., and all lanes were reopened at 1:15 p.m. Tow trucks were on the scene at 8:20 a.m. Traffic was been backed up in both directions as the road was cleared.
“It was blocking the entire roadway,” Cutler said.
The woman was unresponsive when emergency responders arrived, according to the report.