Accident Hwy 285 NB between Kings Valley Dr and Richmond Hill Dr

An update to the earlier story: 2 people have now died as a result of this accident, the other being a child.

Deadly Crash Closes Highway 285 Between Pine Junction And Conifer
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)– Highway 285 was closed in both directions between Pine Junction and Conifer on Thursday afternoon. A head-on collision between two vehicles resulted in two deaths and three others injured.

Investigators say that one adult and one child died in the crash.

CSP 3m
Highway 285 update: one lane open each direction. Right lane of northbound Highway 285 is still shut down for remaining vehicle recovery.

Dear Community,
Thank you for giving us your hands yesterday. We are once again moved by your humanity and service to your community. To those who helped us on the crash on Hwy 285, thank you, thank you, thank you. You performed heroic acts before we were even there. You helped us put out fire. You helped us cut open cars. You helped us take care of patients. You walked through rocky terrain in your flip-flops to help look for victims. We all worked together today, uniform or no uniform. You took care of people; you took care of each other; you took care of your community. You are why we love working here.

We also know some of you saw things that you are not used to seeing, and you did things you have never had to do. We personally know what it’s like to deal with difficult emotions, to ruminate, to see images in our heads, to wonder, to feel broken-hearted. So, we want you to know that we advocate for you getting support if you are bothered in the least by anything you saw or did. Talking to someone who is used to holding a safe space can be critical for processing, whether that is a friend or a professional. Included below is the number for the Colorado Crisis Center, and they are a great resource if you need someone to talk to or text to, or as a place to start to get more help.

We recommend keeping this information for ANY difficult moments in life. Colorado Crisis Services is an immediate, 24-hour support network through phone or text, and they also have 24-hour walk-in services in various locations (the closest is Littleton). coloradocrisisservices.org/

You can, of course, always private message us on FB if you just want to touch base.

Finally, our hearts are heavy and go out to the families and friends impacted by today’s tragedy. May they be comforted and find peace moving forward through this painful time.

From Alan Gionet 8m ago:

The Colorado State Patrol has just told us the 36 year old man driving the red pickup in Thursday's crash has died. He was from Colorado Springs. There was a 68 year old woman in the pickup with him. She was hospitalized.

This is in addition to 55 year old Diana Snell and two year old Jordan Snell of Englewood, who were killed when their black pickup was hit by the red one. Two others in that truck, a 35 year old woman and 31 year old man were also hospitalized.

Investigators were looking at speed, alcohol and passing in a double yellow line area by the driver of the red pickup as factors.

Local report from Colorado Community Media yesterday:
Two killed, four injured in horrific wreck on U.S. 285
Posted Friday, August 27, 2021 9:09 am
Deb Hurley Brobst
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

An Englewood woman and a 2-year-old died in a car crash on U.S. 285 at Kings Valley Thursday afternoon in a head-on collision that left four others seriously injured and closed the busy highway for more than four hours.

Colorado State Patrol is not releasing the names of anyone involved in the accident. Master Trooper Gary Cutler said CSP has received reports that the driver who caused the accident was driving recklessly. CSP is investigating alcohol and excessive speed.

Cutler said a 2021 red Dodge Ram 1500 driving southbound on U.S. 285 at about 3:40 p.m. Thursday was passing another vehicle on a double yellow line and collided head-on with a 2010 Ford F-150 driving northbound that was pulling a trailer. Cutler said the collision pushed the Ford backward from the impact.

The driver of the Ram, a 36-year-old man from Colorado Springs, and his passenger, a 68-year-old woman, were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, he said.

From Alan Gionet of CBS Denver:

Update: Here's what I've learned about the driver of the red pickup involved in Thursday's deadly accident. He not only had a record of driving infractions and other crimes, but was chased and arrested early this month in Park County.

Driver Accused In Deadly Highway 285 Crash Identified As Benjamin Bobier Of Colorado Springs
By Alan Gionet
August 30, 2021 at 4:35 pm

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)– The driver accused of causing a deadly crash on Highway 285 near Conifer that killed a grandmother and her 2-year-old granddaughter, has been identified as Benjamin Bobier of Colorado Springs. Bobier, 36, died last Friday afternoon at St. Anthony Hospital, the day after the crash.

CSP says there’s no toxicology back yet on Bobier, but alcohol was being investigated as a factor along with excessive speed and passing in a double yellow line area. Bobier has been in trouble with the law numerous times before, including repeated traffic offenses. He had had two DUI arrests in 2012 and 2013. Also other run-ins with the law including an auto theft conviction 15 years ago.

Bobier was currently out on bond following a chase only weeks ago in Park County. He was arrested on Aug. 6 for vehicular eluding, reckless driving, speeding 40 mph over the limit and failure to report an accident.