Silverthorne, Colorado (January 29, 2026) — A multi-vehicle collision involving a Colorado Department of Transportation snowplow and a van carrying a California girls’ hockey team claimed the life of Manuel Alejandro Lorenzana Villegas, 38, of Chatsworth, California, and left several children and adults injured, according to the Colorado State Patrol and the Clear Creek County Coroner’s Office.
Lorenzana Villegas, a father and youth hockey supporter, was driving a Ford Transit-style van transporting members of the SC Flyers, a girls’ hockey team from Santa Clarita, California, when the fatal crash occurred on Interstate 70 near Silverthorne, west of the Eisenhower Tunnel.
Incident Details: The collision occurred at approximately 8:50 a.m. Thursday, as winter weather conditions began deteriorating in the mountain corridor. According to investigators, a CDOT snowplow, traveling westbound on I-70, lost control, crossed through the median, and entered the eastbound lanes of traffic.
After crossing the median, the snowplow first struck a Toyota Tacoma, then collided with the sprinter van carrying the SC Flyers, sending the van down an embankment. The Tacoma also collided with a BMW, resulting in a chain-reaction crash involving multiple vehicles.
Lorenzana Villegas was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities later confirmed he was the father of one of the players on the team. At least eight passengers from the team van were injured, including five minors. One child was airlifted by medical helicopter due to the severity of injuries. Most of the injured children were later discharged, while two adults remained hospitalized in serious condition as of the latest reports.
Investigation: The Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit is leading the crash investigation, examining the snowplow’s loss of control, including speed, braking, and weather conditions. Snowplow operations must balance urgency and safety, especially on steep mountain interstates where traction varies.
Investigators will analyze vehicle data, roadway conditions, plow position, and protocols followed as weather worsened near the Eisenhower Tunnel, and may review dash footage, maintenance records, and driver logs to reconstruct events. Because the crash involved a government-operated commercial vehicle, investigators will also evaluate training, deployment decisions, and whether lane closures or traffic controls were adequate under the circumstances.
CDOT placed snowplow driver Colton Weidman, 29, on administrative leave after a fatal incident involving a department vehicle. No citations or charges have been announced, and the investigation is ongoing.
Legal Considerations: Fatal crashes involving government-operated vehicles and multiple injured minors raise complex legal and procedural issues. While snowplow drivers perform essential public safety functions, they must still operate with reasonable care under hazardous conditions. Determining liability may involve examining operational decisions, weather response protocols, and whether safer alternatives were available at the time.
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the Lorenzana Villegas family may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim, while the injured passengers and their families may explore personal injury claims related to medical costs, long-term care, and trauma. These claims often extend beyond immediate injuries to address long-term medical care and emotional impact.
I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Manuel Alejandro Lorenzana Villegas and heartfelt wishes for healing to the injured players, families, and team members affected by this tragedy.