1 Killed in Truck Accident on State Highway 115 near Penrose, CO

Penrose, CO — January 30, 2025, one person was killed in a truck accident at about 7:20 a.m. on State Highway 115 in Freemont County.

Authorities said a Subaru Outback was traveling north on the slushy, snow-packed road when it lost control and spun into the front end of a Colorado Department of Transportation snowplow before sliding off the east side of the road.

The crash occurred north of Penrose near mile marker 118.

The Subaru driver, whose name has not been made public at this time, died in the crash, according to authorities. The plow driver reportedly suffered minor injuries, but declined to be taken to the hospital.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash. The accident is still being investigated.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I hear about a crash where a vehicle loses control on a snow-covered road and collides with a snowplow, my first thought is, “Did the plow’s actions contribute to the wreck?” Many people might assume that because snowplows are there to clear the roads, they can’t be involved in causing accidents. But in my experience, that’s not always the case.

One of the first questions an investigation should address is where exactly the snowplow was when the collision happened. Was it actively plowing in the roadway, or had it just moved into the Subaru’s path? If the plow was changing lanes, turning or repositioning when the crash happened, that could have contributed to the Subaru driver’s loss of control.

Another key issue is whether the plow left behind an uneven or hazardous road surface. Snowplows don’t always clear roads completely, and in some cases, they can make conditions worse by creating ridges of packed snow, slush, or ice. Did the Subaru lose control because of an unexpected change in road conditions caused by the plow? Investigators should examine whether the road was evenly treated or if the plow’s movements left behind a surface that was more dangerous than expected.

Visibility is another concern. Snowplows often kick up large amounts of snow, which can create whiteout conditions for drivers behind them. Did the Subaru driver suddenly encounter a wall of snow thrown up by the plow? If so, that could have made it difficult to see or react in time. Additionally, were the plow’s warning lights visible and functioning properly? I’ve seen cases where snow buildup on a plow’s lights made it harder for other drivers to recognize the vehicle in low-visibility conditions.

At this stage, it’s unclear exactly what caused the Subaru to lose control, but that’s why a thorough investigation is necessary. It’s not enough to assume that winter weather was solely to blame. Investigators should closely examine the plow’s movements, the condition of the road after it passed and whether its operations contributed in any way to the crash. Without that level of scrutiny, important details could be overlooked, and the victim’s family could be left with unanswered questions about this crash.