3 dead when semi-trailer truck rolls over, crash leads to lane closures on I-70 near Ward Road northwest of Denver

Three people were killed and others injured in a tractor-trailer rollover and multi-vehicle crash that occurred in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 at Ward Road Thursday morning. Traffic on I-70 in both directions was impacted by the lane closures.

The accident occurred on Thursday at 8:20 a.m. The semi-trailer and at least three other vehicles were involved. Three people were killed and two others were injured in the accident, all in one vehicle.

The driver of the semi-trailer was also injured in the accident.

About a half hour after the crash, the CBS News Colorado helicopter flew over the scene. A semi-truck was on its side and dozens of what appeared to be blue pipes were lying in the lanes of I-70. Some of the pipes appeared to be lying in the oncoming lane.

The circumstances of the crash are currently being investigated.

Drivers are asked to avoid this area during the accident investigation and cleanup. Immediately following the accident, traffic appeared to be moving past the accident scene in one lane in each direction while emergency crews attempted to clear the mile-long backup within the closure area, which was closed eastbound at 6th Avenue and westbound at Kipling Street.

There was no estimate as to when the highway would reopen.