One person was pronounced dead Wednesday morning after a collision on U.S. Highway 491 north of Pleasant View.
Robert Thompson, 82, of Dove Creek, the driver of a 2003 Ford Escape, was pronounced dead on the scene after his northbound SUV crossed the center line about 10:19 a.m. and collided with a southbound 2012 Dodge Ram four-door flatbed pickup.
The driver of the Dodge Ram, Touria Berrada, 30, of Pleasant View, was transported to Southwest Memorial Hospital and was treated and released for her injuries Wednesday night.
There were no passengers in either vehicle.
“Witnesses say (the Ford Escape) abruptly swerved into the southbound lane,” said Trooper Jonathan Silver, of the Colorado State Patrol, which investigated the collision.
An autopsy revealed that Thompson died of natural causes. The official cause of death was listed as a cardiac tamponade and a ruptured aortic aneurysm.
“He was probably dead before he crossed the center line,” Silver said.
Witnesses said the driver of the Dodge Ram apparently tried to avoid the collision, but was unable to do so.
The highway was closed for three hours, and traffic was rerouted on county roads during the investigation and cleanup.