FRUITVALE, Colo. -- The man who died in a fatal two-car accident on the I-70 Business Loop Wednesday has been identified. Colorado State Patrol says Thomas Shelhammer, 82, was not wearing a seat-belt when he pulled out in front of oncoming traffic.
"The vehicle attempted to make a left hand turn to eastbound I-70B," Trooper Don Moseman explained.At about 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, a simple turn across traffic became deadly for Shelhammer, the driver of a white Chevy Malibu. "[He] pulled in front of a red ford full-size truck," Moseman said.The truck struck Shelhammer's car on the driver's side, whipping the car around and throwing it off of the opposite side of the highway. His Malibu came to rest in ditch on the south side of I-70B.The entire driver's side of his car caved in, killing him on the scene. The two passengers in the truck, Amanda Ford, 31, and her daughter Kay, 9, survived while only suffering minor bumps and bruises. But, an ensuing investigation forced the highway to close in both directions for the next three hours."This is not a busy intersection, but this time of day, I-70B is very busy," Moseman said.Already, rush hour had started picking up. Some people were headed home from work, but most of the traffic was from nearby Central High School that had just gotten out. "I've seen accidents there lately," Natalie Emery, a Junior at CHS said.Her first concern was that fellow students may be involved. "It's scary sometimes because you're just crowded and everyone wants to just leave fast," Emery said.The accident happened a half mile from the school. It closed the highway for about three hours between 30 Road and Warrior Way. Colorado State Patrol mapped the scene.Early results from their investigation suggest that drugs and alcohol were not factors in the accident. But, autopsy results will confirm or deny that.Troopers hope with help from the Mesa County's Sheriff's Office (MCSO) that they can reconstruct the accident. MCSO's new unmanned helicopter was seen taking aerial pictures of the accident.But, regardless of what the rest of the investigation turns up, drivers like Emery will be taking it a little bit slower from here on out.
"I don't know why people would drive so carelessly, especially by the high school."I-70B was closed for three hours Wednesday, from about 3:00 p.m. to just after 6:00 p.m.
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