I-25 crashes

Wrong-way I-25 crash near Castle Rock sends 1 to hospital

Two crashes on I-25 north of Monument resulted in lengthy closures recently.

A driver was hospitalized last week after a head-on collision on Interstate 25 south of Castle Rock, according to Colorado State Patrol.

Reports of a wrong-way driver at milemarker 179 near Plum Creek Road came in just after 5 a.m. on May 19, State Patrol said in a news release. When troopers arrived, they found “extensive damage” to a Chevrolet pickup truck and a silver Toyota sedan. Both vehicles were blocking the road, prompting a closure of I-25 for almost an hour and a half.

The driver of the Chevrolet was transported to a nearby hospital with unknown injuries. The other driver was checked on scene by medical personnel but refused transport.

Preliminary findings show the Chevrolet was driving northbound in the southbound lanes when it hit the Toyota.

Another crash on I-25 four days earlier resulted in a fatality.

The crash is believed to have been caused by a vehicle backing up on the right northbound shoulder. Per a report, a Chevrolet Equinox was traveling in reverse when it drifted into the right lane of the road. At this time, an Audi Q5 struck the back of the Equinox and then a Toyota Highland struck the Audi. The Equinox was pushed into the shoulder, but both the Audi and Toyota came to rest in the roadway, blocking travel.

The driver of the Chevrolet Equinox, a 31-year-old male from Aurora, was pronounced deceased at the scene with both other drivers who were involved in the crash transported to the hospital with injuries. The Audi was driven by a 46-year-old female from Parker, who sustained serious injuries. Meanwhile, the Toyota was driven by a 58-year-old female from Castle Pines, who sustained moderate injuries.

Puzzling

Mind Quest Puzzles and Games is hosting two events on June 1. The first is a jigsaw puzzle weekly meetup club from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The second is a solo speed puzzling event.

Mind Quest has regular events for those who enjoy puzzles and games.

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Education accolades

• Wyatt Rankin of Monument earned Dean’s List honors during the Spring 2026 semester at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn.

• Tabor Hayes of Monument and Vianne Boumeester of Larkspur were named to the spring 2026 dean’s list at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.

• Walter Oliphant of Monument received a bachelor of arts degree from College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.