A huge pileup on Interstate 25 just south of Pueblo on Tuesday morning claimed the lives of five people and left nearly three dozen others injured in what troopers are calling a deadly chain-reaction crash driven by winds and near-zero visibility. The multi-vehicle collision unfolded around 10 a.m. as strong gusts whipped dry dust across the highway, creating what drivers described as “brown-out” conditions that made it nearly impossible to see the road ahead.
Among those killed was 71-year-old Thomas R. Thayer of Rye, Colorado, who was flown to a nearby hospital after the crash and later died of his injuries. The Pueblo County Coroner’s Office confirmed the identities of four other victims: David L. Kirscht, 90, and his son Scott L. Kirscht, 64, both from Walsenburg, Mary Sue Thayer, 72, also of Rye, and 66-year-old Karen Ann Marsh of Pueblo. The victims were in separate vehicles when the massive crash happened.
The wreck involved more than 30 vehicles, including seven semi-trucks, passenger cars and pickups pulling trailers. Emergency crews from multiple agencies worked through the day to clear wreckage, tend to the injured and reopen the highway after the southbound lanes were closed for hours. Dozens of people were taken to area hospitals, with injuries ranging from minor to serious, and officials say many remain in recovery.
Troopers with the Colorado State Patrol said the severe winds striking the region kicked up dirt across the roadway without warning. Drivers who were traveling at highway speeds suddenly found themselves in a thick cloud of dust with little time to slow or stop. One survivor later recalled braking hard as vehicles ahead disappeared in the haze, triggering a series of collisions that spread across a stretch of interstate.
Local emergency services were stretched as ambulances, fire trucks and helicopters responded to the grisly scene. Hospitals activated mass casualty plans to handle the surge of patients, while law enforcement worked to piece together how the chain reaction unfolded in such treacherous conditions. Officials cautioned motorists to avoid travel in similar weather until conditions improve.
Families and community members gathered in shock as news spread of the loss of life and the number of injured. Friends described the victims as devoted parents, grandparents and neighbors whose sudden deaths have left a deep sense of grief across southern Colorado. In the days ahead, memorials and remembrances are expected in Walsenburg, Rye and Pueblo to honor those lost in the tragedy.
The Colorado State Patrol continues to investigate the crash, reviewing how the dust storm and traffic conditions combined to cause the deadly pileup. Prosecutors and safety officials are also urging drivers to slow down and pull off the road when visibility drops, stressing that even brief moments of low sight distance can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
