RIFLE, Colo. (KMGH) – Three people were killed, including two children, and several others critically injured after the SUV they were in slammed into a bear on Interstate 70 in Colorado early Friday morning.
The family of four adults and three children were inside the 2007 Chevy SUV when it struck the bear while traveling westbound on I-70 and rolled into the median near the Rifle exit, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
The three fatal victims were identified as Eugenio Hernandez Altamirano, 63; Kimberly Hernandez, 7; and Brizeyda Hernandez, 15. All three were residents of New Castle.
Troopers say several of the occupants in the SUV were ejected during the crash. Eugenio and Kimberly were pronounced dead at the scene. Brizeyda was transported to a Rifle hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Kimberly’s parents, grandmother, and brother were transported to hospitals in Glenwood Springs and Rifle with serious to critical injuries. Their conditions are not known.
The crash and subsequent investigation closed several lanes of I-70 in the area. Troopers did not say if the bear survived the crash.
