Winter Park, CO — March 2, 2025, One person wa skilled following a car accident that occurred at around at around 8:25 A.M. on US 40.

An investigation is underway into a car accident that left one-person dead during the morning hours of March 2nd. According to official reports, a pickup was travelling on US 40 in the westbound lanes lanes near Lakota Drive, when for unknown reasons the vehicle lost control and entered the eastbound lanes where it struck first a Nissan, followed then by a Hyundai.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the pickup driver had been ejected from the vehicle suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased, while 2 occupants from the other vehicles were seriously injured and they were transported to the hospital for treatment. At this time there has been no further information released from the accident, including the status of the injured motorists, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released by authorities in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope investigators can provide clear answers for the injured individuals and the loved ones of the person who lost their life. A pickup losing control, crossing into oncoming traffic, and causing a multi-vehicle collision raises serious concerns about road conditions, possible mechanical failures, and whether external factors played a role. While initial reports confirm what happened, they don’t necessarily explain why it happened. To truly understand the cause, three critical questions must be asked.

First, have authorities thoroughly investigated the crash? Law enforcement will typically document the scene, assess road conditions, and consider possible contributing factors such as weather, visibility, and roadway hazards. However, deeper analysis is often necessary. Were there hazardous conditions on US 40—such as ice, debris, or poor road maintenance—that may have contributed to the vehicle losing control? Were there signs that the driver attempted to regain control before entering oncoming traffic? A full accident reconstruction could help determine whether external conditions played a role.

Second, has anyone looked into the possibility of a vehicle defect? When a vehicle crosses into oncoming traffic, it’s important to consider whether mechanical failures—such as brake malfunctions, steering issues, or tire blowouts—may have contributed to the crash. Additionally, since the pickup driver was ejected, it’s critical to evaluate whether seatbelts and safety restraint systems functioned properly. If a defect played a role, preserving the vehicle for forensic analysis is critical before key evidence is lost or overlooked.

Third, has all electronic data relating to the crash been collected? The electronic control modules (ECMs) in the pickup, Nissan, and Hyundai may provide key insights, including speed, braking attempts, and steering input leading up to the crash. Additionally, nearby surveillance cameras or dashcam footage from other motorists may have captured useful details. If investigators don’t secure this evidence quickly, it may be lost, making it much harder to determine exactly what led to the crash.

At the end of the day, the family of the driver who lost their life and the injured motorists deserve clear answers. If the official investigation leaves any gaps, independent experts may be needed to ensure that every possible factor is considered. Whether the cause was environmental, mechanical, or something else entirely, the community owes it to those affected to make sure all available evidence is carefully examined.