UPDATE (10:34 p.m. Friday): The Colorado State Patrol says the 28-year-old woman who was in the same car as a 2-year-old toddler who was killed on WB I-70 near Lookout Mountain is a DUI suspect. The Jefferson County District Attorney will make the decision on the filing of formal charges. Because the the 2-year-old girl died in the crash, the woman could face vehicular homicide charges.
DENVER — A 2-year-old girl was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the Lookout Mountain exit Friday afternoon.
The Colorado State Patrol shut down the westbound lanes in the area and were diverting traffic onto U.S. Hwy 40 while they investigated the scene of the crash. The westbound lanes of I-70 were back open shortly after 7:15 p.m.
Traffic: Interactive map of traffic incidents
Troopers tweeted several photos of the scene, showing at least two vehicles were involved in the crash. A silver Pontiac sedan is seen in the pictures with its rear, including the back seat, completely sheared off; while a pickup truck crashed into an embankment.
The patrol said the Pontiac was traveling eastbound when the driver, for an unknown reason, crossed over to the westbound lanes and crashed into oncoming traffic. Troopers said the child fatality occurred in the sedan.
Colorado State Trooper spokesperson Gary Cutler told Denver7 a 28-year-old woman was driving the sedan. She was taken to a hospital; her conditions unknown at this time. The woman and the toddler were the only people inside the vehicle.
The pickup truck was driven by a 43-year-old man who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, Cutler said. He was taken to a hospital with minor injuries.
CRASH
Fatal crash I-70 WB MP 255
Road closed, unknown ETA to open@jeffcosheriffco assisting pic.twitter.com/CjOZIve8rL
— CSP Golden (@CSP_Golden) August 10, 2018
I-70 DETOURS:
US 40 (Colfax) from exits 262 and 259US 6 Clear Creek Canyon (WB drivers can jump off on Colo 58, which leads right to the mouth of the canyon.
Colo 74 - Morrison to Evergreen. **** NO Trailers or CMV's
DO NOT USE Genesee Ridge Road - this is a residential area
— CSP Golden (@CSP_Golden) August 10, 2018
The crash and subsequent closure caused I-70 westbound traffic to backup for several miles.