4 Dead in Crashes Involving Over 30 Vehicles in Colorado Interstate Pileup

Blowing dirt caused near-zero visibility, leading to multiple collisions on I-25 near Pueblo

Feb. 20, 2026 at 10:23am

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Four people were killed and 29 others were hospitalized after a pileup involving over 30 vehicles, including six semitrailers, on Interstate 25 near Pueblo, Colorado. The crashes were caused by blowing dirt that reduced visibility to nearly nothing, according to authorities.

Why it matters

The deadly pileup highlights the dangers of extreme weather conditions on major highways, and the need for improved safety measures and emergency response protocols to protect drivers when visibility is severely limited.

The details

The crashes occurred around 10 a.m. on Tuesday as strong winds kicked up massive amounts of dirt and dust, creating a 'brown out' that made it nearly impossible for drivers to see. In addition to the four fatalities, 29 people were taken to the hospital with injuries ranging from minor to severe. One of the vehicles involved was a pickup hauling a trailer with 32 goats, four of which died.

  • The crashes occurred around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Colorado State Patrol

The state law enforcement agency investigating the cause of the multi-vehicle pileup.

Maj. Brian Lyons

A spokesperson for the Colorado State Patrol who described the 'brown out' conditions that led to the crashes.

Trooper Sherri Mendez

A Colorado State Patrol spokesperson who said the lack of visibility will be considered as a factor in the investigation, along with other potential causes.

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What they’re saying

“Visibility was next to nothing.”

— Maj. Brian Lyons, Colorado State Patrol

What’s next

The Colorado State Patrol is continuing its investigation into the cause of the deadly pileup, with a focus on the extreme weather conditions that led to the crashes.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for enhanced safety protocols and emergency response plans on major highways to protect drivers when severe weather drastically reduces visibility, in order to prevent similar multi-vehicle pileups in the future.