A two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 550 near Ridgway on Monday left a 34-year-old man dead and a 12-year-old girl airlifted to a hospital, turning an ordinary drive on a familiar stretch of road into a fatal scene. The collision involved a Ford F-350 hauling a trailer and a Dodge Caravan, and two additional passengers were taken to hospitals by ambulance.
The Colorado State Patrol said troopers responded Monday, but an official cause has not yet been determined. Its vehicular crimes unit is leading the investigation, according to FOX31 Denver. FOX31 reports that the Dodge Caravan’s driver, a 34-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 12-year-old girl was flown to a hospital and a 74-year-old woman and another passenger were taken by ambulance to local hospitals.
Victims and Emergency Response
Emergency crews from Ridgway and neighboring agencies rushed to the crash site and coordinated an air medical transport for the most seriously injured passenger. Hospital officials have not released detailed updates on the victims’ conditions, and authorities have withheld names until family members can be notified. The State Patrol said it is working to piece together what happened in the moments leading up to the collision.
Investigation and a Dangerous Stretch of Road
The Colorado State Patrol's vehicular crimes unit continues to lead the probe and has asked anyone with information to contact investigators. The stretch of U.S. Highway 550 around Ridgway has seen multiple collisions in recent years, and the Colorado Department of Transportation planned safety work, including a June 2026 safety audit and shoulder-widening projects slated for 2027, to address recurring dangers, Ouray County Plaindealer reported.
What Comes Next
Investigators say the process could take time as troopers analyze the scene, interview witnesses and examine vehicle damage. No charges have been announced, and the State Patrol has said it will release more information as the investigation moves forward.
