One man was killed and two men were severely injured Wednesday night in a single-car accident just east of Cortez.
A Ford Focus with three occupants was heading eastbound on U.S. Highway 160 near the Lakeside Lanes Bowling Alley at approximately 9 p.m. when the vehicle apparently hydroplaned on the rain-covered highway and smashed into a light pole, said Lt. Andy Brock of the Cortez Police Department.
The driver, who was wearing a seat belt, was identified as 34-year-old Christopher Grover of Bayfield. Neither of the two passengers was wearing a seat belt, and both were ejected from the vehicle. Jacob Wittmier, 26, of Washington state, was killed, and Jeremy Graves, 27, of Raleigh N.C., was severely injured, Brock said.
The two injured in the accident were airlifted to St. Marys Hospital in Grand Junction for treatment, Brock said.
Graves was listed in serious condition and Grover was listed in fair condition Friday.
Brock said the three men are employed with the National Park Service at Mesa Verde National Park.
Although the cause of the accident is still under investigation, it appears that the vehicle was traveling too fast for rainy conditions, Brock said.
Charges are pending as the investigation continues.
Reach Reid Wright at reidw@cortezjournal.com.