By Morgan McKenzie
Greeley Tribune
PLATTEVILLE, Colo. — The Platteville Police Department is investigating a multicausality collision Sunday that killed a young child who was sitting on an adult’s lap instead of a car seat.
About 1:17 a.m. Sunday, the Platteville Police Department and Platteville Gilcrest Fire Protection District responded to a traffic collision in the southbound lanes of U.S. 85 at Justin Avenue in Platteville, according to a joint news release from the agencies.
A 911 caller alerted the Weld County Regional Communications Center that an SUV and a semi-truck collided. The caller indicated that multiple people were ejected during the collision. Mutual aid resources responded to assist at the scene due to the number of patients. There were 10 people inside the SUV.
Police and fire crews immediately performed patient triage and started rescuing a trapped occupant of the SUV, the release said. First responders determined there were five critical patients — two with moderate injuries, one with a minor injury and one deceased.
The victim who died was a young child, according to the release.
Ambulances, one from Frederick Firestone Fire, Mountain View Fire, Banner Health Paramedics and Platteville Gilcrest Fire, transported a total of seven people to hospitals. They were taken to three different trauma centers, the agencies reported. A hospital also reported to law enforcement that an infant and an adult were transported in a private vehicle prior to the arrival of Platteville Gilcrest crews.
Paramedics medically assessed and released the semi-truck driver on the scene. The driver is cooperating with the investigation, led by Platteville police, according to the release.
The investigation thus far has revealed the SUV turned in front of the semi-truck, police reported.
There were no car seats found inside the vehicle or on the scene, the release said. Investigators confirmed the young child who died on the scene was sitting on the laps of adults during the collision.
Police have not ruled out impaired driving. The investigation is ongoing.
Colorado State Patrol, Fort Lupton Police, Fort Lupton Fire, Frederick Firestone Fire, Mountain View Fire, Weld County Sheriff, Firestone Police, Mead Police, Milliken Police, Lochbuie Police and the Weld County Coroner assisted in responding to the incident.
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