A terrifying crash on a Colorado interstate has left one father dead and several children injured after a snowplow slammed into a van carrying a youth girls hockey team.
Authorities say Colton Wiedman, 29, is now facing multiple charges, including careless driving resulting in death, after the violent chain-reaction crash.
The incident unfolded just before 9 a.m. on Interstate 70, when investigators say the snowplow Wiedman was driving lost control on slushy roads and veered into the median.
From there, everything spiraled.
According to officials, the plow broke through a cable barrier and crossed into oncoming traffic, smashing into multiple vehicles before slamming into a van carrying a youth hockey team from California.
The impact sent the van careening off the roadway and down an embankment.
Inside the van were young players and adults traveling to what was supposed to be an exciting tournament trip. Instead, the journey turned into a nightmare.
Manuel Alejandro Lorenzana Villegas, 38, the father driving the van, was killed in the crash. Loved ones are remembering him as a devoted dad, talented tattoo artist, and the heart of his family.
Several children were injured, including one who had to be airlifted to a hospital in critical condition. Other passengers — both kids and adults — were treated for less serious injuries.
The young athletes were part of the Lady Flyers hockey team, which released an emotional statement following the tragedy.
“What was meant to be a joyful and exciting tournament has become a frightening ordeal,” the team shared, adding that families are now focused on grief and getting home safely.
Investigators say the crash involved multiple vehicles, including a pickup truck and a BMW, as the out-of-control plow triggered a chain reaction across both directions of the highway.
Now, serious questions are being raised about how it happened.
Wiedman, who was operating the plow for the Colorado Department of Transportation, is scheduled to appear in court on May 5.
Meanwhile, a fundraiser has been launched to support Villegas’ family, describing him as “a hero” and a man who meant everything to those around him.
