A Mountain Village woman died in a head-on crash Wednesday on U.S. Highway 160 west of Durango, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
The crash was reported at 10:17 a.m. near mile marker 75, which is on Hesperus Hill about 3 miles east of Hesperus. The highway remained closed in both directions until about noon when one lane of alternating traffic was allowed to pass the crash scene. The highway fully reopened about 1 p.m., said State Patrol Capt. John Trentini.
Trentini said it was a head-on crash involving a Jeep Cherokee and a Toyota Rav4. The Cherokee was traveling west toward Hesperus when it crossed the centerline and collided head-on with the Rav4 traveling east toward Durango, he said.
A 46-year-old Cortez man was driving the Jeep Cherokee and a 59-year-old Mountain Village woman was driving the Toyota Rav4.
La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith identified the woman as Lorraine Gardner. Smith said she died of multiple fractures.
The State Patrol declined to identify the Cortez man. He was taken to Mercy Hospital with serious injuries before being flown to a Denver-area hospital. Both drivers were wearing seat belts, Trentini said.
Investigators had not yet determined why the man driving the Jeep Cherokee crossed the centerline. Drugs and alcohol were not immediately suspected, Trentini said.
The Cherokee ended up on its side with heavy damage and the Rav4 remained on its wheels with significant front-end damage. Two of the three lanes were blocked by the vehicles and debris as law enforcement investigated the crash.
Gardner had a dog inside the Rav4 that was picked up by Animal Control and taken to Durango for observations.
“I don't know the extent of injuries,” Trentini said of the dog. “But it was standing up; it might have some minor injuries.”
Drivers were given the option to use Colorado Highway 140 (La Plata Highway) as a detour.
shane@durangoherald.com
