Santa Clarita Girls Hockey Team Involved in Fatal Multi-Vehicle Crash on Colorado Interstate
Members of the Santa Clarita Flyers 12-and-under girls’ hockey team were involved in a devastating collision on Interstate 70 in Colorado that left one adult dead and several others injured. The crash occurred Thursday morning near Herman Gulch in Clear Creek County, roughly 50 miles west of Denver. According to the Colorado State Patrol, the incident began when a westbound Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) snowplow lost control, crossed the median into eastbound traffic, and struck a Sprinter van carrying the players and their families.
The impact forced the van off the roadway and down an embankment. Authorities confirmed that the driver of the van, identified as the father of one of the players, was pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency responders transported seven passengers to local hospitals, including four children and three adults. One juvenile suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to a trauma center for urgent care. The van contained ten occupants in total, consisting of players, family members, and adults affiliated with the hockey club.
The team was traveling to Littleton, Colorado, to compete in a scheduled Western Girls Hockey League tournament. Long-distance travel is a routine requirement for competitive youth hockey clubs, with teams frequently navigating winter conditions to attend regional showcases. The Santa Clarita Flyers, based out of The Cube in Valencia, California, had a game scheduled for later that morning. The club president issued a statement asking for privacy and prayers for the affected families as the community processes the sudden tragedy.
While the investigation is in its preliminary stages, questions regarding road safety and the operation of the maintenance vehicle have emerged. Investigators are working to determine why the snowplow operator lost control and crossed the highway divider. CDOT officials and local law enforcement are examining factors such as vehicle mechanics, speed, and the snowy weather conditions present at the time of the accident. The eastbound lanes of I-70 remained closed for several hours while crews cleared the wreckage and conducted their inquiry.
cbsnews.com
cbsnews.com
latimes.com
signalscv.com
