On March 2, a serious vehicle crash took place on U.S. Highway 40 near the entrance to Winter Park Resort. The crash resulted in the death of Richard Strobel, 71, of Littleton while two others sustained serious injuries.

Strobel’s cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries, according to the Grand County coroner. He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, according to the Fraser Winter Park Police Department.

Strobel was driving a truck traveling westbound when it lost traction on the icy roads and veered into the eastbound lane of traffic, sideswiping one car before colliding with another, according to the Fraser Winter Park Police Department.

At the time of the crash, Grand County was experiencing a cycle of warm temperatures and no snow paired with cold nights, which caused snowbanks to melt onto dry pavement and then freeze overnight. Road conditions became icy as a result.

The Colorado Department of Transportation, which maintains U.S. 40, has urged drivers to be prepared for fast-changing weather conditions in the mountains by having proper tires and maintaining situational awareness.