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Craig woman listed in fair condition after crash

Yvette Puhl involved in two-vehicle crash Monday night

Craig Daily Press Staff Report
A 1997 Kenworth Tractor caught fire Monday night after a 2010 Ford Escape collided with the vehicle at about 8:20 p.m. on Colorado Highway 13. After impact, the tractor rotated clockwise, jackknifed and came to rest against a guardrail.
Courtesy Photo
Various agencies responded Monday night to a two-vehicle crash at mile marker 87 on Colorado Highway 13, about two miles south of Craig. Craig woman Yvette Puhl was injured in the crash and transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. She was listed in fair condition Tuesday.

A Craig woman suffered life-threatening injuries Monday night in a two-vehicle crash two miles south of Craig, the Colorado State Patrol reported in a news release.

Yvette Puhl was transported to The Memorial Hospital in Craig and later taken to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction.

On Tuesday, St. Mary’s reported that Puhl was listed in fair condition.



The crash occurred about 8:20 p.m. Monday on Colorado Highway 13, near mile mar-

ker 87.



According to the state patrol, Puhl was driving her black 2010 Ford Escape south on the highway.

Arnold Hardman, of Roosevelt, Utah, was driving his white 1997 Kenworth Tractor, which was pulling an empty cargo tank trailer, north.

Puhl’s Escape traveled partially into the northbound lane and collided with the driver’s side fuel tanks of Roosevelt’s tractor-trailer, the state patrol reported.

After impact, the Escape rotated clockwise and skidded to rest on its wheels facing northwest on the west shoulder of the roadway.

The Kenworth rotated clockwise after the collision, jackknifed and came to rest against the east guiderail with the tractor facing east and the trailer facing northeast.

The Kenworth caught fire after the collision, the state pa-

trol reported. Hardman was able to escape the wreckage. He did not suffer injuries.

Puhl was extricated from the vehicle.

There were no passengers in either vehicle.

Craig Fire/Rescue responded to the crash with about 19 firefighters minutes after it was reported, Fire Chief Bill Johnston said.

The crew faced three challenges from the outset: the Kenworth fire, a victim who was injured and needing extrication, and a wildland fire off the side of the highway that was heading toward a structure.

Johnston credited his crew for successfully handling the situation. Also, no fire personnel were injured.

“I’d call that a good evening,” Johnston said.

Firefighters worked the scene for about three hours.

The fire department left a truck and two people behind at the scene until early Tuesday morning to provide light for accident investigators.

The state patrol is investigating the collision, with assistance from the Craig Police Department, Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, Craig Fire/Rescue, The Memorial Hospital and the Colorado Department of Transportation, according to the news release.

The state patrol also issued words of caution for motorists.

“The Colorado State Patrol would like to remind everyone to wear their safety belts and stay alert to the ever-changing traffic and road conditions during this summer driving season,” the release stated.


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