Rose Crespin, 53, was driving a 2002 Ford Explorer northbound over Lizard Head Pass toward home in Palisade when she lost control of her vehicle carrying three female and one male unidentified family members. The vehicle then slid across the road and began tumbling down the hillside.
“She lost control on the ice, overcorrected and left the road,” said Montrose-based Trooper Dave Evridge, who investigated the scene.
Two passengers complained of left shoulder injuries, one passenger complained of a left ankle injury and another passenger complained of chest pains. Crespin was uninjured in the accident.
According to Telluride Fire Protection District Fire Training Officer/Assistant Chief John Bennett, who attended the scene with what he estimated to be about 20 other fire district personnel, San Miguel County Sheriff’s deputies and search and rescue volunteers, the vehicle came to a stop on the driver’s side.
Responders removed the family through the passenger side of the vehicle before placing them on litters clipped into a rope haul system and walking them back up to the road with assistance from responders working above the scene.
“Given the depth of snow we have and how the vehicle landed I think they were fortunate,” Bennett said.
Ambulances transported to family to the Telluride Medical Center where they were evaluated and treated. Three of the four were later released while the fourth was transferred to obtain a higher level of care, a person with knowledge of the incident confirmed.
All five were wearing seat belts, which Evridge said was “probably very likely” the reason they were not more gravely injured.
Crespin was cited for careless driving causing injury.
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