KREMMLING, Colo. — An entire Kremmling family, including three young children, have been identified after they all died in a car crash on Highway 9 south of the town on Monday.
"The Grand County Coroner’s Office extends its deepest condolences to the surviving loved ones, friends, and the entire community. The loss of an entire family is an unspeakable tragedy, and our hearts are with all who are grieving during this incredibly difficult time," the coroner's office said.
The crash happened around 7:15 a.m. According to Colorado State Patrol (CSP), the driver of a Ford F-150 was headed northbound on Highway 9 when he drove into the southbound lane, striking a southbound GMC Yukon. The impact of the crash caused both vehicles to catch on fire.
First responders tried to rescue the family in the Yukon, but all of them died at the scene. The driver of the Ford F-150 — identified as a 25-year-old man from Parker — was flown to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, CSP said.
The Grand County Coroner’s Office has identified the family as:
- Andres Cabral-Banuelos, 2
- Manuel Cabral-Banuelos, 5
- Maria Cabral-Banuelos, 12
- Andrea Banuelos-Salazar, 30
- Manuel Cabral-Torres, 34
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Colorado State Patrol. The highway was closed for several hours Monday.
The coroner's office also thanked the first responders.
A verified GoFundMe has been set up by the family's loved ones. They are seeking $40,000 in donations to help cover funeral and transportation expenses. As of 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, the fundraiser had collected almost $22,000 from 287 donors.
West Grand School District 1-JT posted on Monday that the crash may have involved a family within the district.
"This is a heart-breaking tragedy, and we are here to support those who have been directly impacted, along with extended family, friends, and our community as best we can during this difficult time," the district posted on social media.
Anyone who witnessed the crash and has not spoken with investigators is asked to call CSP Dispatch at 970-249-4392 and reference case VC25269.
In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, CSP Chief Matthew C. Packard addressed the recent rise in fatal crashes in the state and called on the public to prioritize safety. The full statement is below:
Despite Colorado’s downward trend for fatal crashes this year, these past two months have been devastating for the loved ones and communities left behind due to violent head-on collisions. Wrong-way and wrong-side-of-the-road crashes are frequently the results of impairment, inattentive driving or excessive speed. These types of violations are ones our troopers seek out each day to prevent needless injury and death.
As Chief of an organization devoted to safe travel on our roadways, I take these tragedies personally. You can expect strict enforcement of our traffic laws when you see a Colorado State Trooper. You will also receive a thorough investigation into these crashes. But, I’m also asking each Colorado driver and passenger to help end the suffering. If preventable crashes and the behaviors that cause them don’t become personal to the majority of drivers on our roads, we will all continue to lose.
Colorado will never have enough troopers to catch every traffic violation. We need your help to set and maintain a social standard that prioritizes safety. We need your help. Respect the license you hold by following the law. If you are riding with a person engaging in careless or reckless behavior, speak up. Hold loved ones accountable. We’re asking you to do your part, and we promise we will do our part.
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