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Authorities identify victims of fatal crash east of Bayfield

Hailstorm may have played a role
Two people from Shiprock, New Mexico, were killed in a three-vehicle crash shortly before 7 p.m. Tuesday on U.S. Highway 160, near mile marker 110, east of Bayfield.

Law enforcement has identified two people killed in a head-on crash Tuesday night on U.S. Highway 160, east of Bayfield.

The crash involved three vehicles shortly before 7 p.m. near mile marker 110, close to the Archuleta-La Plata county line, said Capt. Adrian Driscoll with the Colorado State Patrol.

A 3-mile section of the highway was closed from about 7 to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Vincent Bia, 57, and Lucas Bia, 19, both of Shiprock, New Mexico, were killed when their 2015 Ford F-150 crossed the centerline and collided with a 2004 Chevy K-2500 pickup that was pulling a travel trailer, Driscoll said.

Two other passengers in the Ford suffered injuries., including Johnna Bia, 55, who suffered serious injuries, and Noah Bia, 31, who was taken to Mercy Regional Medical Center.

The pickup was being driven by Lynn Morales, 76, of Idaho, who was flown to St. Anthony Hospital in Littleton. His passenger, Sherley Lay, 71, was taken to Mercy in serious condition.

A Dodge Ram, also going eastbound, rear-ended the travel trailer.

The Dodge Ram had five occupants, including the driver, Roman Espinoza, 33, Misty Espinoza, 32, and three children ages 5, 8 and 12, all from Pagosa Springs. None was injured.

Law enforcement said rain and a hailstorm may have played a role in the crash.

“It was marble-size,” Driscoll said. “It covered the road pretty quick.”

Drugs and alcohol are not suspected factors in the crash, he said.



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