Road rage may have caused a violent car crash north of Durango on Saturday, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

The crash occurred about 12:45 p.m. one mile north of city limits on U.S. Highway 550, near mile marker 27.

No charges had been filed as of Monday.

A Durango woman remained in “serious” condition Monday at Mercy Regional Medical Center, said David Bruzzese, spokesman for the hospital.

The accident occurred when Fred Arnold, 79, of Durango, tried to pass Amie Johnson, 39, of Durango, but was unable to complete the pass and hit her front end, said Trooper Jason Shimp, with the Colorado State Patrol.

Both vehicles were traveling northbound a short distance past the point where two lanes merge into one. Both vehicles flipped and overturned a couple of times, Shimp said.

It is possible charges will be filed against both drivers, Shimp said.

“It sounds like there’s some road rage potentially by both parties,” he said.

Witnesses said Arnold’s vehicle was in the passing lane for longer than normal, and it is possible Johnson sped up to prevent him from passing, Shimp said.

Oncoming traffic had to move into the right-hand shoulder to avoid Arnold’s vehicle, Shimp said.

The right rear of Arnold’s 2008 GMC Sierra pickup collided with the front driver’s side of Johnson’s 1971 Ford Bronco. Both vehicles went off the right side of the road, rotated and overturned. Both vehicles were a total loss, Shimp said.

Johnson, who was ejected, was in serious condition at Mercy with multiple fractures, Shimp said. It was unknown if she wore a seat belt. Her 16-year-old son also was in the vehicle. He suffered injuries, but has been treated and released from Mercy, Shimp said. The teen was wearing a seat belt, Shimp said. The Bronco was not equipped with airbags.

Arnold complained of injuries and was treated and released from Mercy. He was wearing a seat belt, and airbags deployed, Shimp said.

He complained of a sore hip Monday when reached by the Herald. He declined to discuss the crash, saying legal action may be pending.

When asked about road rage, he said: “Not on my part. I don’t get road rage.”

Both drivers had dogs inside the vehicles, and both dogs survived the crash.

Drugs and alcohol are not suspected.

The northbound lane of Highway 550 had to alternate with southbound traffic for about an hour while crews cleared the crash site.

shane@durangoherald.com