A truck driver in Colorado narrowly avoided disaster by stopping just feet from a bridge that had collapsed due to severe flooding, despite ignoring a roadblock and warnings from patrol officers. The incident was captured on video and shared by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).
The driver can be seen on video disregarding a Colorado Department of Transportation roadblock and continuing towards the San Juan River Bridge on US Highway 160. CPW patrol officers attempted to signal the driver to stop, but the truck continued until it halted mere spaces from the broken ledge of the bridge.
CPW commented on the video on social media, stating, "Don't be the person who blows through a Colorado Department of Transportation roadblock and almost drives into the Piedra River." The San Juan River Bridge, located near Pagosa Springs, has been closed since October 24 due to the flooding.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has not provided an estimated reopening time, citing the need to monitor river flows and weather conditions. Southwest Colorado has experienced significant flooding over the past week, leading to hazardous conditions and disruptions in essential services.
The Animas River reached its highest recorded level since 1911 on Monday morning, according to CPW, highlighting the severity of the disaster. Officials are advising against travel into affected areas, even where some roads have been partially cleared. Furthermore, residents have been warned to avoid contact with floodwaters, which are presumed to be contaminated due to damage to sewage treatment facilities.