- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Ridgway Today
By the People, for the People
Fatal Crash Near Orvis Hot Springs Leaves One Dead, Two Injured
Colorado State Patrol releases preliminary details on the Highway 550 collision involving a Dodge Caravan and a Ford F350 with a trailer.
Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:51am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The aftermath of a fatal collision on a rural Colorado highway exposes the harsh realities of the dangers of distracted or impaired driving.Ridgway TodayA fatal crash near Ridgway, Colorado on Highway 550 has left one person dead and two others seriously injured. The incident occurred on Monday around 5:33 p.m. when a Dodge Caravan traveling westbound drifted into the eastbound lane and collided with a Ford F350 pulling a gooseneck flatbed trailer. The driver of the Dodge Caravan was pronounced dead at the scene, while the two passengers were transported to a hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the Ford F350 was unharmed.
Why it matters
This tragic incident highlights the importance of safe driving practices and the need for increased awareness and education around the dangers of distracted or impaired driving, especially on rural highways. The investigation by the Colorado State Patrol's Vehicular Crimes Unit will aim to determine the exact cause of the crash and whether any contributing factors were involved.
The details
According to the Colorado State Patrol, the crash occurred at milepost 103 on Highway 550 near Ridgway. The Dodge Caravan was traveling westbound when it drifted over the center line into the eastbound lane, where the Ford F350 pulling a gooseneck flatbed trailer was traveling. The Ford F350 attempted to avoid the collision by steering to the right, but the front of the Dodge Caravan still struck the flatbed trailer. The impact caused the Dodge Caravan to travel off the westbound shoulder and into a ditch, while the trailer detached from the Ford F350 and also ended up in a ditch as the skid steer rolled off. The Ford F350 was left blocking the eastbound lane.
- The incident occurred around 5:33 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2026.
- Highway 550 near milepost 103 was closed in both directions for over five hours after the crash.
The players
Dodge Caravan
The vehicle traveling westbound that drifted into the eastbound lane and collided with the Ford F350 and trailer.
Ford F350
The vehicle traveling eastbound that was pulling a gooseneck flatbed trailer and attempted to avoid the collision by steering to the right.
Colorado State Patrol (CSP)
The law enforcement agency that released the preliminary details on the fatal crash and is investigating the incident through its Vehicular Crimes Unit.
What’s next
The Colorado State Patrol's Vehicular Crimes Unit will continue its investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash and whether any contributing factors were involved.
The takeaway
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of safe driving practices, especially on rural highways where the consequences of a collision can be severe. The investigation will aim to provide more clarity on the circumstances surrounding the crash and inform efforts to improve road safety in the region.
