Colorado Casino News: http://www.thedenverchannel.com
Casino Bus Crashes Near Black Hawk
10 People Hurt In Two Crashes
BLACK HAWK, Colo. -- A charter bus that takes people to and from casinos in Black Hawk and Central City crashed on Highway 119 Thursday afternoon, causing another chain reaction crash. Ten people were ultimately injured.
The bus crash occurred just after 2 p.m. Thursday about four miles south of Black Hawk. The Colorado State Patrol said the bus was heading north into Black Hawk when, for some unknown reason, it veered into the southbound lanes on a blind curve, slamming into a utility truck head-on.
"The boom truck comes around the corner and of course there is a head-on because the bus is in his traffic lane," said CSP Master Trooper Ron Watkins.
There were 14 people, including the driver, on the bus.
The driver of the charter bus, operated by Casino Transporation Inc., and the driver of the Cummins Rocky Mountain utility truck were the most seriously injured and had to be airlifted to local hospitals. The utility truck driver was taken to St. Anthony Central Hospital.
Six other bus passengers were hurt and had injuries ranging from minor to serious.
Just before the first crash, a 1994 Subaru station wagon heading southbound on Highway 119 swerved to miss the bus and drove onto the right shoulder. The driver avoided the bus and came back onto the roadway where the motorcycle hit the Subaru, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
The driver of the motorcycle and the driver of the Suburu were both taken to area hospitals.
The identities of those involved have not been released. It's not exactly clear where the bus passengers were coming from. An accident investigation team is looking into what caused the bus to veer into the wrong lane.
Highway 119 is the primary route to the gambling towns of Black Hawk and Central City. Highway 119 was shut down from U.S. 6 Clear Creek Canyon to Black Hawk. It's not known when it will reopen. Drivers in the area are asked to used Central City Parkway as an alternate route.
CTI is based in Commerce City and has had a total of 25 inspections in the last 24 months. In that time it has had one fatal crash, one injury crash, and three crashes that involved towing. It has a satisfactory carrier safety rating, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. |
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