CSP Update on Fatal Crash, Six Dead

The Colorado State Patrol in conjunction with The State of Colorado Human Services is investigating a traffic crash involving a van and tractor-trailer that resulted in 6 fatalities in Cheyenne County. The crash occurred on Colorado 287 approximately 2.5 miles south of Kit Carson, Colorado.

A 1999 Dodge Ram 3500 van was traveling southbound on Colorado 287. A 2001 Peterbilt tractor-trailer was stopped in traffic southbound on Colorado 287. The Dodge was traveling in a construction zone at the time of the crash that had a reduced speed limit. The Dodge crashed into the rear of the cattle trailer that the Peterbilt was pulling. The trailer was empty at the time of the crash. After the crash both vehicles remained together and continued southbound, they both remained on their wheels.

The driver of the Dodge Ram was identified as 57-year-old Howard Mitchell, of Kit Carson Colorado. Howard was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

There were 12 passengers in the van at the time of the crash. The following passengers in the van died as a result of the crash, and they were not wearing a seatbelt:
11-year-old Austyn Atkinson of Kit Carson, Colorado
4-year-old Tony Mitchell of Kit Carson, Colorado
10-year-old Tayla Mitchell of Kit Carson Colorado
13-year-old Andrew Dawson of Kit Carson Colorado
17-year-old Jeremy Franks of Kit Carson Colorado

The following passengers in the van sustained injuries and they were not wearing a seatbelt:

13-Year-old Brandon Rollins of Kit Carson, Colorado, he was transported to Children’s Hospital in Denver.
16-year-old Daniel Ortega of Kit Carson, Colorado, he was transported to Swedish Hospital in Denver.
18-year-old TJ Mitchell of Kit Carson, Colorado, he was transported to Swedish Hospital in Denver.
15-year-old Robert Miller of Kit Carson Colorado, he was transported to Swedish Hospital in Denver.
17-year-old Scott Fua of Kit Carson, Colorado, he was transported to Swedish Hospital in Denver.
14-year-old William Palmer of Kit Carson, Colorado, was transported to Keefe Memorial Hospital in Cheyenne Wells with minor injuries. At the time of the crash William was wearing his seatbelt.

3-year-old Beau McMillen of Eads, Colorado, was transported to Children’s Hospital in Denver. Beau was properly restrained in a child safety seat. The driver of the 2001 Peterbilt was identified as 26-year-old Jared Kauffman of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Jared was transported to Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, and was released with minor injuries. Alcohol and drugs are not factors in the crash. Speed is being investigated as a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.