Inset: Manuel Alejandro Lorenzana Villegas (GoFundMe). Background: The aftermath of the fatal plow crash in Colorado that claimed the life of Manuel Alejandro Lorenzana Villegas (Colorado State Patrol).
A tragic accident occurred on a slushy interstate in Colorado when a snowplow collided with a van carrying a girls’ hockey team, resulting in the death of a father and injuring several children. The snowplow driver was allegedly driving recklessly, as reported by authorities.
Colton Wiedman, 29, faces several charges, including careless driving resulting in death, four counts of careless driving causing serious bodily injury, and other related charges. He is also accused of failing to maintain his lane.
The Colorado State Patrol announced these charges in a press release on Thursday, following an investigation into the crash that happened over two months ago. The accident claimed the life of 38-year-old Manuel Alejandro Lorenzana Villegas, from California. Wiedman was reportedly operating a snowplow for the Colorado Department of Transportation at the time.
The crash involved multiple vehicles, including a CDOT plow and a sprinter van transporting a youth hockey team from California, as well as two other passenger vehicles, according to the CSP release.
Preliminary findings from the investigation, shared by the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office on January 29, indicate that Wiedman lost control of the snowplow while driving westbound on Interstate 70. The plow crossed the median, breaking through cable barriers and entering the eastbound lanes.
The sheriff’s office reported that the plow then collided with a Toyota Tacoma traveling eastbound, which subsequently crossed the median and hit a BMW traveling in the opposite direction. The sequence of events underscores the tragic chain reaction initiated by the snowplow’s loss of control.
Wiedman’s plow continued eastbound and struck the sprinter van as it was traveling eastbound in the eastbound lanes, per the sheriff’s office. “After the impact, the sprinter van ended up down an embankment,” the office said. “The CDOT plow came to rest on the shoulder.”
The crash unfolded just before 9 a.m., according to CSP officials. One child was reportedly airlifted to the hospital in critical condition, while four children and three adults were also hospitalized with lesser injuries. The youths were part of the 12AA Lady Flyers hockey family, which released a statement about the crash on Instagram.
“Our 12AA Lady Flyers hockey family was involved in a tragic accident,” the statement said. “While traveling to Colorado for what was meant to be a joyful and exciting tournament, their lives were changed forever. Now, their moment of anticipation has become a frightening ordeal. Families find themselves far from home, focused not on the game they love, but on grieving the loss of one of their own and in need of returning to the safety, care, and comfort of home.”
The team added, “Words cannot express the heartbreak we are experiencing. Please hold these families in your prayers.”
A GoFundMe launched for Villegas’ family after his death describes him as “a hero and the epitome of what an amazing man, father, partner and friend should be.” He worked as a tattoo artist and owned the Rare Hearts Tattoo Club in Woodland Hills, Calif.
“He is a father, an artist and a family man,” a description says on the shop’s website.
Wiedman is scheduled to be arraigned on May 5 in Clear Creek County, according to online court records.
