Crash causes Highway 96/50 to shut down

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- A two-vehicle crash caused Highway 96 and Highway 50 to shut down in both directions near mile marker 330 on Monday morning in Pueblo. Officials say alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the crash.

At 7:08 a.m., a man in a car was driving eastbound to Avondale as a semi-truck was traveling westbound toward Pueblo. Colorado State Patrol says the man in the car drove across the median and struck the semi-truck head-on which caused the semi-truck to catch fire.

Officials say the semi-truck driver was reported to be okay. The driver of the passenger car suffered life-threatening injuries and was flown to a Colorado Springs hospital.

State Patrol is working to determine whether the driver of the passenger car was under the influence.

Drivers should expect traffic delays in the area.

Alternative routes

• Use CO-209 between Highway 50 and CO-96 for drivers east of the accident
• Use CO-442 for drivers west of the accident

🚨TRAFFIC ALERT:
A semi-truck fire has roads closed in either direction between CO96 and HWY 50, west of Boone. No estimated time of re-opening. Alt routes east of the accident: CO209 between Hwy 50 and CO96. West of accident: CO442. @KRDONC13 pic.twitter.com/kT2LsdZzLa

— Natalie Haddad, KRDO (@natalieontv) February 21, 2022