A Toyota 4Runner attempted to pass several vehicles in a no-passing zone and collided head-on with a van carrying whitewater rafters from Wilderness Aware Rafting
Labor Day Accident in Chaffee County Claims One Life & Injures Seven
SALIDA, CO – A tragic traffic accident in Chaffee County has left one person dead and seven others with serious injuries, according to Colorado State Patrol (CSP) Master Trooper Glen Brown. The incident occurred on Labor Day, September 2, around 1:30 p.m. on U.S. Highway 285 near mile marker 143, close to Nathrop. The accident involved three vehicles: a Toyota 4Runner, a Chevy Express Van serving as a rafting tour van pulling a small trailer with a raft, and a Ford F150 truck. The crash happened when the southbound 4Runner attempted to pass a line of traffic in a no-passing zone on a right curve, resulting in a head-on collision with the northbound rafting van.
The driver of the 4Runner, a 33-year-old male from Golden, sustained life-threatening injuries despite wearing a seatbelt. The confirmed fatality was the 4Runner’s passenger, a 49-year-old man from Salida, who was not wearing a seatbelt. All six occupants of the rafting van were hospitalized with serious injuries, with some wearing seatbelts and others not. The occupants of the Ford F150, which collided with the van’s trailer, were uninjured.
- The driver of the Toyota 4Runner: A 33-year-old man from Golden, Colorado, was seriously injured and taken to the hospital.
- The passenger of the Toyota 4Runner: A 49-year-old man from Salida, Colorado, Justin Stensland, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
- The driver of the Wilderness Aware Rafting van:A 70-year-old driver was seriously injured.
- Passengers of the Wilderness Aware Rafting van: Five passengers were seriously injured, including people from Colorado, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
- The occupants of the Ford F150: Which collided with the van’s trailer, were uninjured.
Were You or Someone You Know Affected
Gofundme In Memory of Justin Stensland
Ramos Law Injury Intelligence Insight
Investigation Underway
CSP officials are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. The investigation is likely to include:
- Accident scene analysis
- Witness interviews
- Vehicle inspections
- Review of road conditions and signage
Investigators will work to determine the exact cause of the crash and whether any additional factors, such as speed or impairment, may have contributed to the incident.
The Dangers of Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are particularly deadly due to the increased energy involved in the impact. When two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide, the force of the impact is significantly greater than in other types of accidents. This is because the combined speed of both vehicles contributes to the overall force of the collision. For example, if two cars traveling at 50 mph collide head-on, the impact force is equivalent to a single vehicle hitting a stationary object at 100 mph. This increased energy transfer often results in more severe injuries and a higher likelihood of fatalities.
The Importance of Seatbelt Use
In light of this tragic accident, it’s crucial to emphasize the life-saving potential of seatbelts. Properly worn seatbelts can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury or death in the event of a collision by:
- Preventing ejection from the vehicle
- Distributing the force of impact across the strongest parts of the body
- Slowing the body’s deceleration during a crash
Authorities urge all motorists and passengers to buckle up on every trip, regardless of distance or speed. This simple action can make a critical difference in surviving a crash and minimizing injuries.
