Two people are tragically dead following a single-car crash on the night of July 2, according to local sources. Colorado police, who are responsible for responding to fatal motor vehicle accidents of this type, responded shortly after 10:00 p.m. The names and ages of the people involved in the crash have yet to be released publicly pending notification of next-of-kin.
According to the accident report, the crash took place at the intersection of 37.1 and G roads in Palisade. There was one man and one woman in the car at the time of the crash, which reportedly involved their sedan leaving the road and crashing into a line of sizeable decorative rocks at the edge of a property near the intersection. At the moment, the exact sequence of events is not yet determined.
Police have not spoken publicly about what they believe may have caused the driver to crash into the rocks or even which of the two people were driving at the time of the crash. They have not ruled out speed, negligence or even intoxication as possible causes. However, both local and state police are still investigating all possible series of events and have asked for the support of any witnesses who may have observed the crash.
In fatal motor vehicle accidents where so little information is available, it can be difficult to determine what will happen once the investigation is concluded. As the driver died at the scene, no criminal charges can be filed against him or her. However, Colorado law states the family of the passenger may be able to file a wrongful death suit against the driver’s estate if sufficient evidence exists that he or she was materially responsible for the crash.
Source: gjsentinal.com, “Two die in one-car accident in Palisade”, July 3, 2016