Five Vehicles, Two Crashes North of Springfield in Baca County

Media Release

The Colorado State Patrol investigated property damage crashes involving five vehicles that occurred on Sunday, April 27, 2014 at approximately 1:10 PM.  The crash occurred on Colorado Highway 287 at mile marker 45.  This location is 14 miles north of Springfield.   

A 2007 Freightliner driven by Jimmy Cunningham of Conroe , Texas was northbound on Hwy 287 when it entered a brown-out area and rear-ended a 2014 Freightliner driven by Wesley Fortune of Centennial, Colorado.  Vehicle #2 slowed for weather conditions (brown out, due to high winds). After impact a 2001 GMC Pick-Up Truck driven by William Bunting of Springfield, Colorado rear-ended the 2007 Freightliner.

At about that same time, a 2003 Dodge Pick-Up Truck driven by Kelley Hearon of Speamon, Texas traveling southbound rear-ended a northbound semi. After that collision the semi left the crash scene. All 3 northbound vehicles came to rest on right shoulder partially blocking the northbound lane. The southbound vehicle ran off the west side of the road and came to rest in the west borrow ditch.

All drivers were wearing seatbelts and were uninjured.  Blowing dirt and brown-out conditions are considered to be a contributing factor for the crashes.

The highway was closed for approximately 1hour and 15 minutes.