DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado State Patrol troopers were busy Friday through Sunday as a winter storm battered the region, causing avalanches on roadways and traffic congestion on Interstate 70, and also leaving some involved in car crashes dead.

Sunday afternoon, the Colorado State Patrol reported its troopers had responded to seven fatal crashes that left eight people dead since Friday and left another four people with serious injuries.

“When driving in winter driving conditions, we want folks to take the warnings from law enforcement, Department of Transportation and the news meteorologists seriously,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, in a release. “This weekend has left dozens of families with broken hearts. Winter conditions require drivers to reduce their speed, increase their stopping distances and use extra caution. Quick maneuvers won’t work in winter conditions.”

Off-duty firefighter renders aid in Fort Carson crash

On Sunday at about 6:24 a.m., troopers responded to a two-vehicle and pedestrian crash on southbound Interstate 25. A semitruck pulling a trailer was traveling south on I-25, troopers reported, while a Dodge Ram 2500 was parked on the shoulder of I-25, facing south, with hazard lights activated.

The driver of the Dodge was standing in front of his vehicle when the semitruck lost control and hit the rear of the Dodge with the side of the truck. The Dodge Ram was pushed south after impact, hitting the pedestrian.

Troopers reported that the Dodge continued traveling south off the right side of the road, while the pedestrian remained on the shoulder. Troopers reported that an off-duty firefighter stopped and rendered aid to the pedestrian, and the pedestrian was transported to UCHealth Memorial Hospital where he died from his injuries.

The crash remains under investigation by the CSP Vehicular Crimes Unite. Southbound I-25 was closed at exit 132 for about 5.5 hours while crews investigated, removed diesel and recovered the vehicles.

Deadly Valentine’s Day crashes

A deadly crash was reported on Highway 86 at milepost 25 in Elbert County on Friday. Troopers said a Ford Explorer was traveling west and attempted to pass a semitruck.

While driving in the eastbound lanes to overtake the semitruck, another semitruck heading east crashed head-on with the Fort Explorer, pushing the eastbound semitruck into the left rear side of the westbound semitruck. The driver of the Ford Explorer died at the scene and the eastbound semitruck driver self-transported to an area medical center, CSP reported.

Another crash was reported in Park County on Friday on Highway 9 at about 4:51 p.m. A 2005 Kia Sorento was headed south on Highway 9 when it began spinning and went off the right side of the road. The Kia kept traveling south off the road and rolled several times, troopers reported.

The driver was wearing a seatbelt and stayed in the vehicle. She was transported to St. Anthony Summit Hospital in Frisco where she died of her injuries, CSP reported.

Two deadly crashes reported in Adams County

Two of the fatal crashes occurred in Adams County, including one Sunday morning on U.S. 36. The driver of a Toyota Corolla had pulled over to clean his windshield near Pecos Street on the highway shoulder when he was struck by a Toyota Rav 4, which was subsequently struck by a second Rav 4. The driver of the first Rav 4 was arrested and cited for careless driving resulting in death.

The second fatal Adams County crash was reported on Saturday. A Chevy 1500 was traveling southbound on Highway 79 near milepost 4 at about 7:45 a.m., CSP reported. The driver of the Chevy lost control and drove off the west side of the road and rolled multiple times. The vehicle came to a rest on its roof and the male driver was pronounced dead at the scene, CSP said Sunday.

Crashes in Western Slope counties claim 3 lives

Another fatal crash was reported Saturday in Archuleta County. Troopers reported they responded to a two-vehicle crash with four vehicle occupants on Highway 84, near milepost 18, which is near Pagosa Springs. At about 5:29 p.m., a 2021 Ford F250 was traveling north on the highway when it moved into the southbound lanes where a Chevrolet Trailblazer was traveling.

Troopers said the Trailblazer moved into the northbound lanes, and the F250 also returned to that lane, resulting in a crash. The Trailblazer was pushed north and hit the guardrail on the north side of the road. The F250 was pushed into the guardrail on the south of the highway.

The driver of the Trailblazer was pronounced dead at the scene. A back-seat passenger of the Trailblazer, a child, was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead. A front-seat passenger of the Trailblazer was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries, and the driver of the F250 was transported to a medical facility with moderate injuries.

Another fatal crash was reported in Garfield County near Glenwood Springs. Troopers said the crash occurred Saturday at about 8:36 p.m.

CSP said a 2002 Toyota Camry was heading west on Highway 82 while a 2025 Toyota Camry was traveling east on Highway 82 near milepost 3. The 2002 Camry lost control on a left curve and traveled across both westbound lanes and into the eastbound lanes while rotating counterclockwise.

The 2025 Camry struck the 2002 Camry’s front passenger side, and the 2002 Camry continued off the eastbound shoulder and down an embankment. CSP reported that the 2025 Camry stopped in the eastbound lanes of the highway, and three occupants of the newer-model Camry were transported to Valley View Hospital, with two having sustained serious bodily injury. The driver of the 2002 Camry was pronounced dead on scene.