46,000 Pounds of Lumber Dumped on Wolf Creek Pass after Semi-Truck Accident
CREEDE, CO (January 24, 2018) – A semi-truck lost control and crashed on Wolf Creek Pass on Wednesday morning around 10:15 AM.
Milton Parada, 46, of Virginia, was driving eastbound on US Highway 160 in a semi-truck hauling lumber, on one of the most dangerous passes in Colorado. Traveling at high speeds, Parada’s truck descended down a steep south incline, as the brakes began to smoke and the truck lost control.
Approaching sharp turns, the semi flipped on its side before stopping just near the entrance of the runway ramp to the highway. About 46,000 pounds of lumber fell from the truck and onto the road. No other injuries or damages were reported
Parada sustained minor injuries and was cited for careless driving. Authorities arrived to the site of the crash to investigate and clear the road of the lumber. Highway 160 near milepost 161 was closed until around 2:45 PM. The final ramp on the west side of the pass remained closed until 4 PM while the rest of the lumber was cleared.
This area is very common for truck accidents, and has caused multiple fatalities in the past. Lisa Schwantes, spokeswoman for CDOT, said an improvement project for Wolf Creek Pass is expected to commence in the summer. Improvements to the road would include enhanced striping, lane reconfiguration, construction of a concrete barrier near the scenic overlook, and additional signage to prevent serious crashes.
When driving in unfamiliar areas, always drive the speed limit and stay aware of your surroundings. If you are traveling too fast and approach an unexpected turn or hill, a delayed response may result in injury.
If involved in a semi-truck accident, contact the experienced car crash lawyers at Sweet Law Group. We promise to work for you, day and night, until we achieve the proper compensation and justice that you and your family deserve. Call our offices at (800) 203-3061 for a free consultation, and discuss your case with a legal professional in your area.