4 dead in crashes involving over 30 vehicles in 'brown out' conditions
on Colorado interstate
[February 18, 2026]
PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — Four people died in crashes involving over
30 vehicles, including six semitrailers, on an interstate in Colorado
Tuesday after blowing dirt made it nearly impossible to see, authorities
said.
Dirt kicked up by heavy winds blew across Interstate 25 just south of
Pueblo around 10 a.m. causing a “brown out,” Maj. Brian Lyons of the
Colorado State Patrol said.
|
Emergency personnel work the scene of a crash involving 30-plus vehicles
including six semi trucks on Interstate 25 south of Pueblo, Colo., on
Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (Christian Murdock/The Gazette via AP) |
|
“Visibility was next to nothing,” he said.
Twenty-nine people were taken to the hospital with injuries
ranging from minor to severe, Lyons said. There were crashes on
either side of the interstate, but the one on the southbound
side only led to property damage, the patrol said.
One of the vehicles was a pickup hauling a trailer carrying 32
goats, four of which died, the patrol said.
The cause of the crashes about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from
Pueblo is still being investigated. The lack of visibility will
be considered as one of the factors, but others may also be
involved, said Trooper Sherri Mendez, a patrol spokesperson.
The strong winds that hit the eastern half of Colorado on
Tuesday, combined with warm weather and very dry conditions,
were also blamed for fanning wildfires and causing flight delays
at Denver's airport.
Meanwhile it snowed in the western part of the state, bringing
much-needed moisture to the mountains.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights
reserved |
|
|
