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US 6 reopens near Tunnel 1 after driver crashed into pedestrian, down embankment

Car drives off road on Clear Creek Canyon near Tunnel 1 July 15 2021_2
Car drives off road on Clear Creek Canyon near Tunnel 1 July 15 2021_3
Car drives off road on Clear Creek Canyon near Tunnel 1 July 15 2021_1
Posted at 7:30 AM, Jul 15, 2021
and last updated 2021-07-15 12:00:47-04

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — US 6 is back open through Clear Creek Canyon after a driver struck a pedestrian and then crashed down an embankment just west of Highway 93 on Thursday morning.

Colorado State Patrol Master Trooper Gary Cutler said a call came in at 6:45 a.m. reporting that a vehicle had struck a pedestrian in the area. The driver then crashed off the road and came to a stop on the paved Clear Creek Trail just east of Tunnel 1.

Cutler said when authorities arrived at the scene, the pedestrian was conscious and breathing.

The SUV had damage to its front bumper and passenger side.

The driver and pedestrian were both transported to a hospital, Cutler said.

The Colorado Department of Transportation said eastbound and westbound lanes are closed between Highway 93 and Highway 119 as authorities investigate.

It's not clear how the crash occurred.

Construction crews were working in the area, but Cutler said CSP doesn't have any information that indicates the pedestrian was a construction worker.

In April, crews began working on improvements along the road between Highway 93 and Interstate 70, with projects including new tunnel lighting in Tunnel 1-3, 5 and 6, resurfacing, and trail improvements.