DENVER -- A Colorado Department of Transportation worker providing traffic control for a car accident on Interstate 70 was hit by a vehicle and is seriously injured, authorities said.

Westbound I-70 was shut down near Evergreen Parkway when the accident occurred, around 1 p.m. on Friday, but all lanes were back open by 3:40 p.m.

The worker was in the area, providing traffic control for an accident that happened an hour before, said CDOT spokeswoman Stacey Stegman.

The worker was identified as David Wright, 64, a five-year employee of the department. He was listed in critical but stable condition at St. Anthony's Central hospital on Saturday evening.

Wright was parked on shoulder and went into the center lane to remove a tarp from traffic when he was struck by a silver car carrying two women, Stegman said.

Stegman was told that Wright has head injuries and broken bones. Initially, a medical helicopter was requested to airlift Wright to the hospital but the chopper could not get there fast enough and was called off, Stegman said.