PUEBLO, Colo. — A devastating chain-reaction crash involving dozens of vehicles shut down both sides of Interstate 25 for more than 12 hours Tuesday morning, leaving five people dead and at least 29 others injured. The horrific collision occurred around 10:00 a.m., turning a busy stretch of highway into a scene of twisted metal and emergency sirens as first responders rushed to help the victims.
According to the Pueblo County Coroner’s Office, five lives were tragically lost in the crash. The victims were identified as David L. Kirscht and his son Scott L. Kirscht of Walsenburg, Mary Sue Thayer of Rye, Karen Ann Marsh of Pueblo, and Thomas Thayer of Rye. Authorities confirmed that next-of-kin notifications have been made as families begin to mourn their unimaginable loss.
In addition to the fatalities, 29 people were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Eleven victims were taken to Saint Mary-Corwin Hospital, while others were transported to facilities operated by UCHealth and CommonSpirit Health. Officials reported that 21 victims suffered moderate to minor injuries, seven sustained serious bodily injuries, and one person remains in critical condition.
The Colorado State Patrol is leading the investigation into what caused the massive pileup. While details about contributing factors have not yet been released, troopers spent hours documenting the scene and working to determine how so many vehicles became involved in the deadly crash. Traffic was diverted for much of the day as crews cleared wreckage and reopened the interstate late Tuesday evening.
Hospital leaders say preparation played a key role in managing the sudden influx of patients. “Today, everything stops. It’s all hands on deck,” said Mike Cafasso, president of Saint Mary-Corwin Hospital. He explained that while such large-scale crashes are rare, hospitals and first responders train annually for mass casualty incidents to ensure they can respond quickly and effectively.
As the investigation continues, the Pueblo community is left grappling with the scale of the tragedy. Families are mourning loved ones, survivors are recovering from their injuries, and authorities are urging drivers to remain cautious on Colorado highways. What began as an ordinary Tuesday morning ended in heartbreak for many across southern Colorado.
