Fifth Victim Dies in Massive Colorado Interstate Crash

Deadly pileup involving over 30 vehicles occurred during dangerous 'brown out' wind conditions

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A fifth person has died after a crash involving more than 30 vehicles on a Colorado interstate amid dangerous wind conditions on Tuesday morning. The massive pileup on Interstate 25 near Pueblo was caused by a sudden 'brown out' with extremely low visibility due to blowing dirt and debris. Four people were initially killed in the northbound crash, and a fifth victim later died at the hospital. Dozens more were injured, some seriously.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of sudden and severe weather conditions on major highways, especially in areas prone to high winds and dry terrain that can quickly create 'brown out' conditions with zero visibility. It raises questions about road safety protocols and alerts during extreme weather events.

The details

According to Colorado State Patrol, the intense winds and dry conditions resulted in a 'brown out' over the interstate, causing a massive pileup on both sides involving 36 vehicles, including passenger cars, seven semi-trucks, and a pickup hauling livestock. The larger crash occurred on the northbound side, while a smaller incident happened on the southbound lanes. Four people were initially killed in the northbound crash, and a fifth victim later died at the hospital. Dozens more were injured, with seven in serious condition and one critical.

  • The crashes occurred on Tuesday morning, February 18, 2026.
  • The interstate was fully reopened south of Pueblo on Wednesday morning.

The players

Colorado State Patrol

The state law enforcement agency that responded to and investigated the deadly pileup.

David Kirscht and Scott L. Kirscht

A father and son from Walsenburg, Colorado who were killed in the crash.

Mary Sue Thayer

A resident of Rye, Colorado who was killed in the crash.

Karen Ann Marsh

A resident of Pueblo, Colorado who was killed in the crash.

Thomas Thayer

A resident of Rye, Colorado who was the fifth victim to die from injuries sustained in the crash.

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What they’re saying

“This was one of those storms that came through, and the wind picked up very quickly, and that location down there, unfortunately due to the lack of moisture and stuff that we've had in the area recently, the dirt and everything just transversed all the way across I-25, and created just what I'll call as a dirt or a brown out that visibility was next to nothing.”

— Maj. Brian Lyons, of the Colorado State Patrol (atlantanewsfirst.com)

“Everyone gets involved. Everyone's lined up and make sure we have everything from supplies to communications to the expertise necessary to handle a large volume of patients, which we were ready.”

— Mike Cafasso, President of CommonSpirit St. Mary Corwin Hospital (atlantanewsfirst.com)

What’s next

The Colorado State Patrol and other agencies will continue investigating the events leading up to the deadly pileup, including reviewing any alerts or warnings that may have been issued prior to the crash.

The takeaway

This tragic incident on Interstate 25 underscores the need for heightened safety protocols and rapid emergency response capabilities to protect drivers during sudden and severe weather events, especially in regions prone to high winds and dry conditions that can rapidly create dangerous 'brown out' situations with zero visibility.