An afternoon crash Monday closed all eastbound lanes of traffic on U.S. Highway 160 near the base of Farmington Hill. The highway reopened fully at 5 p.m.
The eastbound lanes were fully blocked around 4:15, and two-way traffic was temporarily restored in the westbound lane before the highway fully reopened, according to Colorado State Patrol Capt. Angela DeGuelle.
The crash occurred between mile posts 88 and 89.
A 2013 Toyota Highlander driving west, downhill toward Durango, crossed into an eastbound lane and collided head-on with an oncoming 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe, DeGuelle said in a text message. Drivers of both vehicles were taken to Mercy Hospital with serious injures. Two juvenile passengers in the Tahoe were also taken to the hospital with “moderate injuries.”
All car occupants were wearing seat belts or child restraint devices.
Both vehicles were traveling at highway speeds, eyewitness Candace Carrado said in an email to The Durango Herald. She suspected that the visible remnants of old lane marking paint from before the highway’s recent realignment could have confused the westbound driver.
However DeGuelle said that a medical episode is the suspected causal factor. Impairment by drugs or alcohol are not a suspected.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
