(Pitkin County, CO) This morning at about 10:00 a.m., Colorado State Troopers were dispatched to crash with multiple injuries on Highway 82 and Brush Creek Road west of Aspen, Colorado. The crash involved a Roaring Fork Transportation Authority bus and a tow truck.
Troopers have determined that a flatbed tow truck was traveling eastbound on Highway 82 when it entered the intersection at Brush Creek Road on a red light. The passenger bus entered the intersection on a green light when it was struck on the right side by the tow truck.
A total of 13 bus passengers were transported to Aspen Valley Hospital, while 9 additional passengers were transported to Snowmass Village Medical Center. Seven other passengers complained of minor injuries but were not transported. It is believed that approximately 30 to 40 passengers were on the bus at the time of the crash. Injuries range in severity from minor to serious, with none of the injuries believed to be life-threatening.
A passenger in the tow truck also sustained moderate to serious injuries. That individual was also transported to an area hospital.
The driver of the tow truck, Bailey Hall-Sansom, age 21, was cited for careless driving causing bodily injury, a misdemeanor. Mr. Hall-Sansom was not injured. Alcohol is not a contributing factor in the crash.