A Sunday night drive north of Penrose turned frightening when a two-vehicle crash on Highway 115 left a 17-year-old girl seriously injured and needing an airlift to a regional hospital, authorities said. Flight For Life crews flew the Penrose teen for higher-level care, while the other driver was treated for injuries and taken by ground ambulance.
Troopers Say Camry Crossed Center Line Before Impact
According to FOX21 News Colorado, the Colorado State Patrol said the crash happened around 7 p.m. near milepost 27 on Highway 115, close to Barrett Road between Penrose and Colorado Springs. Troopers told the station that a northbound Toyota Camry crossed a solid center yellow line into the path of a southbound Lexus RX, hitting the Lexus on the front passenger side and injuring both people involved.
Crash Scene, Injuries and Flight For Life Response
After the collision, the Camry came to rest on the southbound shoulder, while the Lexus ended up off the road on the right side of the northbound lane, troopers said. The Lexus driver, a 55-year-old woman from Florence, swerved left to try to avoid a head-on crash and suffered minor injuries. She was taken to a hospital by ground ambulance.
Flight For Life crews, which operate from regional hospital flight programs, handled the airlift of the 17-year-old to a higher-level care facility. CommonSpirit Health describes how its hospitals support air ambulance operations across the region, including coordinating with emergency responders in serious crash cases.
State Patrol Investigation and Call for Tips
The Colorado State Patrol is investigating the crash, and its Vehicular Crimes Unit conducts detailed reconstructions whenever serious collisions occur. Colorado State Patrol explains that the unit examines vehicle trajectories, roadway conditions, and other physical evidence to piece together what happened. Troopers also routinely ask witnesses to contact CSP dispatch if they saw anything that might help the investigation.
As of the latest reporting, troopers had not released the names of those involved. FOX21 News Colorado reports that anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Colorado State Patrol dispatch. We will update this story if officials release more details about the teen's condition or the ongoing probe.
