Wrong-way driver causes accidents east of New Castle

Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado
November 18, 2007

Print Email

A disoriented driver caused two accidents on Interstate 70 east of New Castle Friday afternoon, by driving east in the westbound lanes at rush hour. The two accidents resulted in the highway being closed in both directions for about one hour.
Colorado State Patrol reports that John Jensen, 70, of Glenwood Springs, drove onto the interstate by way of the westbound off ramp at New Castle, and continued to drive east in the westbound lanes. The first accident occurred when the driver of a Subaru station wagon, swerved to avoid a collision with Jensen’s pickup truck. He lost control of his car and rolled twice across the median, coming to a stop in the eastbound lanes.
Jensen continued eastward in the westbound lanes until another motorist, driving a Honda sedan, swerved to avoid a collision but was hit by Jensen’s truck.
All three drivers were taken by ambulance to Valley View Hospital. The driver of the Subaru, Nathaniel Peach, of Fort Collins, was being treated for a possible neck fracture. The driver of the Honda, Cydney Veale, of Palisade, was treated and released. Jensen was treated for a possible ankle fracture.
Jensen was cited with two counts of careless driving, including one count of careless driving causing bodily injury.
The highway was reopened in both directions before 6:00 p.m.