Denver, CO — Tanker Truck Overturns After Crash on Pecos St at I-70
Written by Bradley Smith
Denver, CO (May 2, 2025) – A crash involving multiple vehicles led to the overturning of a tanker truck Thursday evening, resulting in major traffic disruptions on the southbound side of Pecos Street at Interstate 70.
The accident occurred around 5:15 p.m. on May 1, just as evening traffic was beginning to build. According to reports, the collision caused the tanker truck to flip onto its side, blocking all southbound lanes of Pecos Street near the I-70 interchange. Denver police and fire crews responded quickly to the scene and closed the affected area to ensure the safety of motorists and first responders.
Emergency crews worked to contain any potential fuel or hazardous material leakage from the overturned tanker. Traffic was rerouted as crews worked to stabilize the vehicle and investigate the cause of the crash. It is unclear how many vehicles were involved or if any injuries occurred. However, sources confirm the tanker driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with authorities.
The southbound lanes of Pecos Street remained blocked for several hours as tow and hazmat teams continued cleanup efforts. The Denver Police Department is still investigating the cause of the collision.
We hope anyone injured in this accident recovers quickly.
Truck Accidents in Colorado
Truck-related accidents are a serious concern in Colorado, especially in metro areas like Denver where commercial traffic regularly mixes with commuter flow. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, thousands of crashes involving heavy trucks occur annually across the state, many of which result in lane closures, serious injuries, or worse.
Crashes involving tanker trucks present unique dangers. Here are a few important aspects to understand about these types of incidents:
- Hazardous Material Risk: Tanker trucks often carry flammable or toxic materials. When they overturn, the risk of fire, explosion, or environmental contamination increases significantly. Emergency crews must take extra precautions in these scenarios, sometimes extending road closures for hours.
- Rollovers Due to Load Shifts: Liquid cargo is more likely to shift during sudden braking or collisions, increasing the chance of a rollover. Even a slight impact or lane change can destabilize a tanker if its load isn’t evenly distributed or contained properly.
- Traffic Congestion and Secondary Accidents: Truck crashes on busy interchanges like I-70 often lead to gridlock. Backup traffic can contribute to additional fender benders or delays in emergency response if not managed carefully.
- Difficult and Expensive Cleanup: The process of upright recovery for large tankers is complicated and time-consuming. Specialized tow trucks, hazmat teams, and environmental experts are often required to safely remove the truck and any spilled cargo.
If you or someone you know was impacted by this crash or any serious truck collision, contacting a Denver truck accident attorney is essential. A skilled legal team such as ours at Smith & Weidinger can help you recover damages for medical costs, lost wages, and any long-term consequences of the accident. These cases often involve trucking companies and insurers that require strategic legal guidance.
At Smith & Weidinger, we offer free consultations and are here to help. Our Denver truck accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious crash claims and are dedicated to supporting injured victims and their families. We manage the legal details while you focus on recovery. You deserve answers, support, and results—and we’re here to help you get them. Call us at 720-996-2600 to begin your case evaluation.
Note: The information provided in this blog post has been compiled from publicly available and secondary sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may become outdated or contain inadvertent errors. If you believe any information is incorrect or requires updating, please contact Smith & Weidinger so that we may review and make the appropriate corrections.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a solicitation for business. The photo used is not from the scene of the incident described. Viewing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Smith & Weidinger. If you have been injured in an accident, please seek immediate medical attention and then consult with a qualified attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.
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