Fatal accident near Independence Pass
At 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, an eastbound Jeep Cherokee went off the road near mile 55 of Highway 82. The driver was killed, and the passenger suffered injuries.
After leaving the roadway, the vehicle rolled 1/4 times and hit a tree, then continued up an embankment, rolling another 3/4 times, ejecting the driver. The vehicle rolled one more time back down the embankment, coming to rest partially on the roadway.
Troopers determined in an on-scene investigation that the vehicle’s speed was close to twice the posted 30 mph limit. Alcohol is a suspected factor in the accident.
The driver, whose name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was a 27-year-old male from New Zealand. He was thrown 40 feet, where he died from his injuries.
The passenger, Renee Rorvick, of Aspen, was wearing a seatbelt, and sustained a broken rib, head injuries, and multiple cuts and bruises.
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