Four Vehicle Pile Up on 287, Dust Closes Hwy S. of Lamar

The Colorado State Patrol is currently investigating a four-vehicle injury crash, which occurred on Colorado State Highway 287 near milepost 69.5, approximately 6.5 miles south of Lamar.  The accident occurred shortly after 5pm on Saturday, August 22.  A white 2000 Peterbuilt tractor trailer driven by Jose Ortiz a 43 year old Texas male collided with a red 1993 Toyota pickup that had a Toyota pickup in tow. The driver was Ramon Baudillio (44 year old male) from Guatemala. The red Toyota was then pushed into another Toyota pickup that was in tow by a 1994 gray Toyota pickup driven by Edgar Rodriguez also from Guatemala (48 year old male). The gray Toyota pickup was pushed into a white 2015 Fed Ex Peterbuilt tractor trailer driven by 36 year old James Benjamin from Texas.

All vehicles involved were traveling southbound on Hwy 287. All vehicles involved began to slow and or come to a stop due to high winds and low visibility due to blowing dirt. The 2000 Peterbuilt came to rest in the center of the southbound lane after the collision along with the 1994 gray Toyota pickup and its load. The red 1993 Toyota and its load came to rest in the west borrow ditch after rolling one time. The 2015 Fed Ex Peterbuilt was driven from the scene. Hwy 287 was closed both north and south bound during investigation and due to the adverse weather conditions for approximately two hours.

Limited View Of House West of Lamar in Dust storm

During the storm, visibility was less than 100 feet, Colorado State Patrol Officials reported.  Earlier this year, a dust storm south of Lamar  caused a seven-vehicle crash on U.S. 287 that killed two people and injured four others. 

Semis in Fairgrounds Parking Lot, Waiting Out the Storm

Ramon Baudillio and Edgar Rodriguez were transported to Prowers Medical Center and treated for non-incapacitating injuries and minor injuries. All parties involved were properly using their seatbelts and alcohol or drugs is not suspected.