Crash near La Junta kills woman; 3 others including child injured

BENT COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- A 50-year-old woman from Las Animas passed away Friday morning after a traffic incident on Highway 50. Three other passengers were transported to nearby hospitals.

Around 8:20 a.m., troopers say they responded to a crash about 8 miles east of La Junta on Hwy 50. Investigators determined that a Chevrolet Malibu was traveling westbound when the driver lost control and went off the right side of the road.

The vehicle rolled three times and became airborne over a ravine. The Malibu collided with a tree and ended on its left side. The coroner pronounced the female driver deceased at the scene. She was not wearing a seatbelt at the time, according to Colorado State Patrol.

Troopers say three other passengers were also in the vehicle during the crash. One passenger was transported to Parkview Hospital after being ejected. The other two passengers were taken to Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center. One of the passengers was buckled in a child seat while the other two were not.

Detectives say they are still investigating but alcohol and speed were not factors in this crash.