A violent one-car crash on U.S. Highway 160 east of Cortez about 5 p.m. sent the driver to Southwest Memorial Hospital, according to the Colorado State Patrol.
A white Toyota 4Runner with Colorado plates went off the south side of the highway and crashed into thick shrubbery in front of Dolores State Bank. The male driver was transported to Southwest Memorial Hospital by ambulance. There were no passengers.
Trooper Loving said the crash is under investigation, and the cause has not been determined. He said there was significant front-end damage to the vehicle.
The accident closed the eastbound lane on the highway as emergency crews responded to the accident. Commuter traffic was delayed in both directions as law enforcement directed vehicles around the crash scene.
Cortez Fire Protection District, Cortez Police Department, Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office, Southwest Health System ambulance and the Colorado State Patrol responded to the scene.