LA VETA PASS — A crash Monday afternoon snarled normally heavy Memorial Day traffic and claimed the life of an Albuquerque, N.M. man.

The victim of the head-on collision that occurred near the junction of CO 12 and US 160 has been identified as William Kirkpatrick, 41.

Two other individuals received life-threatening injuries in the crash and were transported to a Pueblo hospital for treatment.

A statement from the Colorado State Patrol regarding the incident reveals that a 2012 Ford Expedition was traveling eastbound on Highway 160 when it entered into the westbound lanes in order to pass some vehicles in the eastbound lanes.

A 2015 Hyundai Veloster, driven by Kirkpatrick, was traveling westbound on Highway 160 in the left lane when the Ford Expedition collided into it head-on.

After colliding, the Expedition rotated counterclockwise and came to final rest on its wheels in the westbound lanes of Highway 160.

The Veloster swerved to the right and collided with a guardrail before coming to final rest on its wheels in the westbound lanes, as well.

The driver of the Ford Expedition, 67-year-old Donna Brummett, of Westminster, was wearing her seatbelt but suffered life-threatening injuries. She was flown to a hospital in Pueblo for treatment.
Kirkpatrick was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash, but due to the force of the collision, was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead on scene.

The passenger of the Hyundai Veloster, 37-year-old Carly Kirkpatrick, also of Albuquerque, was wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash but suffered life threatening injuries and was flown to a hospital in Pueblo for treatment.

Alcohol and drug use is not suspected as contributing factors in the crash, which remains under investigation at this time.

The westbound lanes of 160 were closed for several hours while emergency crews responded to the scene and officers conducted their investigation. Traffic was alternated on the one lane that could be opened.

The crash was called in to dispatch at 12:40 p.m., and the roadway finally reopened just after 5 p.m.

Any witnesses to the crash or to the driving behavior of the vehicles prior to the crash who have not already spoken with an officer are asked to contact Trooper Thomas DeAntonio at [email protected] or by calling the Pueblo Regional Communications Center at 544-2424.