CSP Report on Fatal Collisions on Highway 287

The Colorado State Patrol is investigating a traffic crash involving several vehicles that occurred on Colorado 287 near milepost 69 in Prowers County. The crash resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries to several parties on Wednesday, June 10, 2015.

A 2003 Ford van was traveling northbound on Colorado 287 when it stopped in the northbound lane due to a sandstorm that severely limited visibility. When the Ford stopped, it was struck from the rear by a 2014 Freightliner semi-tractor pulling a loaded trailer. The Freightliner overrode the back of the van and both vehicles traveled northbound after impact until the front of the van struck the rear of a trailer being pulled by a 2002 Freightliner semi-tractor. The van and Freightliner came to rest on their wheels when the van struck the rear of the trailer.

A 2015 Kenworth semi-tractor with trailer was also traveling northbound behind the 2014 Freightliner and was brought to a controlled stop on the roadway. Moments after stopping, the Kenworth was rear-ended by a 2012 Chevy Traverse. The Chevy Traverse was struck on its rear by a 2002 Freightliner semi-tractor pulling a trailer. The Freightliner’s trailer was rear-ended by a 2005 International semi-tractor and trailer, which caused the 2002 Freightliner and trailer to jackknife on the roadway. The rear of the International’s trailer was then struck by a 2013 Dodge Ram 3500 pulling a trailer. The front of the Dodge Ram traveled under the rear of the International’s trailer until it came to rest.

The driver of the Ford van, 53-year-old Xiao Feng of Dallas, Texas, was wearing his seatbelt, but suffered fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The drivers of the three Freightliners, identified as 52-year-old Michael Goodson of Yuma, Arizona, 49-year-old David Allides of Tomball, Texas, and 36-year-old Luis Almanza of Brighton, Colorado, were all wearing their seatbelts and suffered no injuries. The drivers of the Kenworth and International semi-tractors, 35-year-old Allen Burden of Hammond, Louisiana, and 59-year-old Joaquin Rodriguez of Las Vegas, Nevada, respectively, were wearing their seatbelts and suffered no injuries.

The driver of the Chevy Traverse, 54-year-old Hans Friederichs of Wiley, Colorado, was wearing his seatbelt and sustained moderate injuries. Two other passengers, identified as 78-year-old Fred Heckman and 54-year-old Joleyne Friederichs, suffered moderate to severe injuries. A third passenger, identified as 75-year-old Caryol Heckman of McClave, Colorado, did not appear to be wearing her seatbelt and suffered fatal injuries.

The Dodge Ram’s driver, 55-year-old Jorge Suarez of Garland, was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash and sustained serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.  At this time, excessive speed, alcohol use and drug use are not considered to be contributing factors in the crash, which remains under investigation.