A three-vehicle crash occurred in the 36000 block of U.S. Highway 160 west of Bayfield at about 9:50 a.m. Saturday.
According to Colorado State Patrol Trooper Nathan Selby, the accident occurred in the eastbound lane of traffic when two cars were stopped behind a truck waiting to make a left-hand turn into Lon’s Automotive. A 2014 Ford F250 pickup truck pulling a horse trailer rear-ended a Toyota Venza SUV driven by Elizabeth Crawford, 64, of Durango who was the last car in the line, pushing her into the car in front of her. That was a 2008 Toyota Corolla driven by Cynthia Brown, 26, of Durango.
“The Venza really only clipped the Corolla’s bumper before going off the road,” Selby said.
Sidney Snyder, 70, of Cortez was the driver of the F250. He was cited at the scene for careless driving, Selby said.
“He had three horses in the trailer,” Selby said. “He tried to brake, but he had a lot of weight behind him, and he just couldn’t brake in time. And the horses are all OK.”
Crawford’s passenger, Elizabeth “Liza” Tregillus, 59, of Durango, was transported to Mercy Medical Regional Center by Upper Pine Fire Protection District with minor injuries.
David Bruzzese, spokesman for Mercy, said she had been treated and released by 3:20 p.m.
Traffic was blocked in one lane for some time. The scene was cleared about 2:45 p.m.
Everyone involved was wearing seatbelts, and no alcohol or excessive speed were suspected, Selby said.
Both Crawford and Tregillus are well-known around town for their singing and musicianship.
The accident originally was reported as a six-car crash on the scanner and by a Colorado State Patrol public information officer before troopers arrived at the scene.
abutler@durangoherald.com
