Two people were transported with serious injuries to Mercy Medical Center Wednesday morning after a crash on U.S. Highway 160 near Lon's auto salvage yard. Three vehicles were involved.
A 2008 Nissan pickup driven by Daniel R. Holley, 28, of Mancos was eastbound on 160, State Patrol Trooper Randy Talbot said. For unknown reasons, he swerved into the westbound lane and sideswiped a 2014 Toyota mini-van driven by Tracey Mosher, 34, from Bayfield. Three children, ages 4, 2, and seven months, were in the back seat. She swerved to avoid the collision. She and the children escaped without injury.
The pickup then spun out of control and collided with a Suburu station wagon driven by 64-year-old Lee J. McCutcheon of Bayfield. That sent McCutheon's Suburu spinnig off the south side of the road where it overturned onto its top, Talbot said.
Holley and McCutcheon were alone in their vehicles. Everyone involved was wearing a seatbelt, and the kids were in child restraint seats, Talbot said. The crash happened around 8:15 a.m.
Upper Pine Fire ressponded to the crash. Holley was transported to Mercy Medical Center and then flown to Denver with head injuries. McCutcheon was transported to Mercy with a broken leg and other injuries. Talbot considered Holley to have the worst injuries. Upper Pine Fire Chief Bruce Evans referred to both men as being transported in critical condition.
The highway was closed for about an hour and a half, Talbot said. Traffic was diverted onto County Road 223. The crash scene was strewn with debris.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the State Patrol was still investigating what caused the pickup to cross into oncoming traffic.
"At this time, alcohol isn't suspected," Talbot said.
