State Patrol Investigates Deadly Huerfano County Crash

The Colorado State Patrol is investigating a two vehicle accident that resulted in one death.

The accident happened on Colorado 69 Mile Post 23, approximately 1 mile south of the City of Gardner on Sunday afternoon.

A 2001 Dodge Ram pickup, pulling a Fleetwood camping trailer, was traveling northbound on Colorado 69. A 1992 Toyota Pickup was also traveling northbound on Colorado 69 in front of the Dodge Ram. The Toyota pickup slowed down to make a left hand turn into a private driveway. The driver of the Dodge Ram attempted to pass the Toyota pickup in the southbound lane, colliding its right front corner with the left side of the Toyota pickup. After impact, the Dodge Ram continued northbound and went off the left side of the road. The Toyota rotated counterclockwise and went off the left side of the road and rolled one half time, coming to rest on its roof.

The driver of the Dodge Ram, identified as 62-year-old Richard Garrett of Grand Junction, CO, was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. He did not sustain injuries in the crash and was transported to a local motel in Walsenburg, CO.

The driver of the Toyota Pickup, identified as 60-year-old Randall Dressler of Gardner, CO, was also wearing seat belt at the time of the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Huerfano County Coroner.

Drugs and alcohol are not being considered as contributing factors to the accident.