x
Breaking News
More () »

Driver fatigue believed to be main factor in weekend crash that closed I-25 for more than 36 hours

Interstate 25 was closed in both directions between Colorado 402 and U.S. 34 as CDOT worked to clean up the spill and repair the pavement.

LOVELAND, Colo. — Interstate 25 is back open in the Loveland area Sunday afternoon after a fuel spill early Saturday, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). 

The northbound and southbound lanes of I-25 between Colorado 402 (Exit 255) and U.S. 34 (Exit 257) were closed for more than 36 hours. 

CDOT and fire crews cleaned up about 11,500-11,700 gallons of diesel fuel that spilled when a fuel tanker crashed, CDOT said. Frontage roads were also affected by the spill.

A CDOT spokesperson said at 11 a.m. Sunday that the agency was working to get the southbound lanes back open. The northbound lanes were more work: the spilled fuel had soaked into the road's substructure, which would require scraping the roadway and repaving, he said.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it was helping with the cleanup, given the spill's size. Air-monitoring equipment was being used because of the proximity to residential areas adjacent to the interstate.

The EPA said the diesel spilled into a drainage ditch but did not enter the Big Thompson River.

The fuel tanker crashed about 1:12 a.m. Saturday and became fully engulfed in flames. Crews extricated the driver, John Brothersen, who suffered minor injuries, according to LFRA. 

The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) cited Brothersen for careless driving. CSP said that while the crash investigation is still ongoing, driver fatigue was being considered the main factor in the crash.

>> View Loveland 1-25 oil spill photos from EPA

CDOT and about 35 firefighters from LFRA and Front Range Fire were on scene at the crash at about 6 a.m. Saturday and notified the EPA at 2:30 p.m. 

> Top stories from 9NEWS curated daily just for you! Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER right now to get can’t-miss stories, Next and Broncos content, weather and more delivered right to your inbox. 

RELATED: Explosion reported in Greeley after semi crashes into natural gas line

RELATED: Denver Police use helicopter to find illegal street races

RELATED: Pedestrian hit in Denver; serious injury reported by police

SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Local stories from 9NEWS   

MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS

Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER

Download the 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n 

HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE

ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.

For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.

Before You Leave, Check This Out