Tragic Labor Day Crash on Colorado Highway Claims Life, Injures Numerous Rafters

The Colorado State Patrol is investigating a deadly crash that occurred on Labor Day when a driver collided head-on with a van carrying whitewater rafters along Highway 285 near Nathrop, Colorado. The accident left one person dead and several others seriously injured, shedding light on the importance of safe driving practices, especially in areas with heavy recreational traffic.

A Preventable Tragedy on the Open Road

Reckless Passing Leads to Devastating Collision

The crash happened when the driver of a Toyota 4Runner attempted to pass other vehicles on a curve in a no-passing zone along Highway 285. This reckless maneuver resulted in the SUV colliding head-on with a Wilderness Aware Rafting van that was shuttling whitewater rafters to their destination. The impact of the collision was severe, leaving one passenger in the 4Runner dead and the driver suffering life-threatening injuries.In the Wilderness Aware Rafting van, the 70-year-old driver and five of the passengers were seriously injured, underscoring the devastating consequences of the driver's decision to overtake other vehicles in an unsafe manner. The crash highlights the importance of following traffic laws and exercising caution, especially in areas where recreational activities and regular vehicular traffic intersect.

Tragic Loss of Life and Serious Injuries

The passenger who died in the crash was identified as Justin Stensland, a 49-year-old resident of Salida, Colorado. Stensland was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, a decision that may have contributed to the tragic outcome. The driver of the 4Runner, a 33-year-old man from Golden, Colorado, also suffered life-threatening injuries in the collision.In the Wilderness Aware Rafting van, the injuries sustained by the driver and passengers were significant. The 70-year-old driver and five of the van's occupants were seriously injured, requiring immediate medical attention and highlighting the severe impact of the crash on the whitewater rafting community.

A Company in Mourning and a Community Shaken

The accident has left a profound impact on the Wilderness Aware Rafting company, which has been shuttling whitewater rafters for decades. Brian Ellis, the company's president, expressed the team's deep sorrow over the incident, stating, "We are heartbroken for everyone involved in the accident. We are fully supporting our Wilderness Aware Rafting team and cooperating with law enforcement's investigation of the accident."The crash has also shaken the local community, as the stretch of Highway 285 where the collision occurred is a popular route for both recreational and commercial traffic. The closure of the highway for nearly five hours on Labor Day underscores the scale of the incident and the disruption it caused to the area's transportation network.

Investigating the Cause and Seeking Justice

The Colorado State Patrol is conducting a thorough investigation into the crash, with charges pending for the driver of the Toyota 4Runner. Troopers will be examining the events leading up to the collision, including the driver's actions, the condition of the vehicles involved, and any other contributing factors, in an effort to determine the exact cause of the tragedy.As the investigation unfolds, the community will be closely watching to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that measures are put in place to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future. The loss of life and the severity of the injuries sustained by the rafting company's employees and passengers have left an indelible mark on the region, and the hope is that this incident will serve as a stark reminder of the importance of safe driving practices and the need for heightened awareness in areas where recreational activities and transportation intersect.