Deadly Pileup on I-25 in Pueblo Leaves Veteran Shaken

A man who witnessed the crash says he hadn't seen anything like it since his time in Vietnam.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 25 in Pueblo, Colorado on Tuesday left five people dead and 28 others injured. George Autobee, a witness to the crash, said he hadn't seen anything like the horrific scene since his time serving in the military during the Vietnam War. The crash was caused by 'brownout' conditions from strong winds kicking up dust storms, making visibility extremely poor.

Why it matters

This deadly pileup highlights the dangers of poor visibility on highways due to severe weather conditions. The crash raises questions about road safety protocols and emergency response procedures during such events. Autobee's Vietnam War comparison also underscores the traumatic impact these types of mass casualty incidents can have on those who witness them.

The details

According to authorities, the crash on I-25 involved over 30 vehicles and was triggered by the thick dust storms caused by strong winds. Autobee, who was driving through the area at the time, said he could hardly see anything in front of him as he drove through the worsening dust storm. His car then collided with the vehicle in front of him, leading to a chain reaction pileup. Autobee said the scene was 'horrific' and that he was still in 'shock' over what he had witnessed.

  • The crash occurred on Tuesday morning on Interstate 25 in Pueblo, Colorado.
  • Autobee said he was heading to Denver when he drove through several dust storms, with the final one being the worst.

The players

George Autobee

A witness to the deadly I-25 pileup in Pueblo, Colorado, who said he hadn't seen anything like the crash scene since his time serving in the military during the Vietnam War.

Colorado State Patrol

The law enforcement agency that responded to and investigated the multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 25, determining that it was caused by severe 'brownout' conditions from strong winds.

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What they’re saying

“I'm still in kind of shock. Everything happened so fast. I was prior military, and I hadn't seen anything like this since I was in Vietnam when we had mass casualties, so it was pretty traumatic.”

— George Autobee (NewsNation local affiliate FOX31)

What’s next

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the deadly pileup and the factors that contributed to the poor visibility on the highway. Safety reviews and potential policy changes may be considered to prevent similar mass casualty incidents from occurring in the future.

The takeaway

This tragic crash serves as a sobering reminder of the life-threatening dangers that severe weather conditions can pose on our roadways. The traumatic experience of the witness who likened the scene to his time in Vietnam underscores the profound impact such events can have on those who witness them. As communities grapple with the aftermath, there will likely be renewed calls for enhanced safety measures and emergency response protocols to better protect drivers during extreme weather events.