A catastrophic three-vehicle collision on a Colorado highway near Franktown has claimed the lives of five individuals, including three young children, authorities reported on Monday. The devastating incident occurred just after 4:30 p.m. in the Franktown area, situated south of Denver.
Tragic Details Emerge from Multi-Vehicle Crash
According to a news release from the Colorado State Patrol, the tragedy unfolded when the driver of a Toyota hatchback lost control of their vehicle. The southbound Toyota veered off the right shoulder of the highway, then abruptly re-entered the roadway, rolling into the northbound lane. This led to a head-on collision with a Ford sedan traveling northbound. Immediately following this impact, the Toyota also struck a Ford pickup truck.
Victims Identified, Investigation Underway
The crash proved fatal for several occupants. The driver of the Toyota hatchback was ejected during the vehicle's roll and died at the scene. In the Ford sedan, both the driver and three of the five children traveling in the vehicle tragically perished on site. Two other children from the sedan sustained injuries and were airlifted to a nearby medical facility; their current conditions have not been released by authorities. Fortunately, the driver of the Ford pickup truck involved in the collision did not sustain any injuries.
The Colorado State Patrol has confirmed that the multi-vehicle crash is currently under active investigation to determine its precise cause. The identities of the deceased will be released by the Douglas County Coroner's Office once all next of kin have been formally notified.
