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Car accident claims life of Rifle teen

Bobby MagillPost Independent Staff

Tragedy struck Rifle Wednesday when Rifle High School student Megan Beauford died following a single-car accident Monday night on Interstate 70. Beauford, 16, of Rifle, sustained serious injuries at about 11:30 p.m. Monday when the 2002 Jeep Wrangler she was driving drove off the left side of the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 two miles east of Parachute. The Jeep left the highway, spun clockwise slightly and rolled twice before coming to a stop on its wheels facing west in the median. State Trooper Robert Varner said Thursday Beauford’s tire tracks left the highway without any evasive marks. There were no other passengers in the Jeep. Alcohol was not involved in the accident, and Beauford was wearing a seat belt. The cause of the accident is unknown and still under investigation.Beauford was taken to Grand River Medical Center in Rifle before being transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction with serious injuries. She died at about 8:15 a.m. Wednesday. There will be a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Rifle High School Auditorium. Rifle Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.


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