Three fatalities in Gladiator accident on Camp Bird Road near Ouray, CO

[OngsterA]

Prayers and thoughts to the families, that's tragic! One misstep there is all it takes. Hope the driver was not distracted and being a CO local employee, if true, not sure why he was not belted, not that it mattered in that location.

We have many side hill narrow 'shelf' roads here with gravel and chunks. Those are very hairy, no shoulder, you never know how soft the sharp edge can crumble with weight. Be REALLY careful on them!

Sponsored

 

[Terry]

I learned about this on Facebook, but it looks like three people lost their lives yesterday when a Gladiator fell off Camp Bird Road near Ouray, CO. Such a tragic accident…

I don’t know many details, but for those not aware, this is the road that leads into the Imogene Pass trail from the Ouray side. It’s not at all technical or even particularly narrow when compared to other roads in the area, but the drop off is steep and far.

I traveled this very road last summer with my wife and two young daughters. It’s a sobering reminder that this pastime of ours can be as dangerous as it is exciting. Be careful out there, y’all.

I am well aware of that road the the area as our friends previously owned "The Texan" Hunting and Fishing Lodge near there. The roads in that area are treacherous and as has been said, the vehicle is only part of the equation.

 

[RidinDirty]

After watching that video and having been up in the area this summer, the trail does not look particularly challenging. But who knows, momentary distraction and or other extenuating circumstances on those roads leave little room for error.

 

[Alans17]

I am NEVER telling my wife about this...

 

[Rburns1776]

I am NEVER telling my wife about this...

Same, we are planning a trip out there next summer to visit family and do Alpine loop/black bear pass, etc. This would 100% be a non starter if she saw it

 

[Lunentucker]

Me and my Lady friend at that time drove that road ca. 2005. Being tourists we were in a rental although I don't remember what kind of car...Honestly, I didn't feel very comfortable driving it and was extremely careful. The Lady friend is still a friend of a different kind now so I'll have to let her know about it some time.

Protection orders are difficult for all concerned.

 

[OngsterA]

Another fatality this week, man this is rough!
https://people.com/human-interest/f...ng-accident-with-9-year-old-son-still-inside/

 

[OngsterA]

Yeah, watching the video on a 24" 4K monitor i started feeling my tension rise as I got to this part in the video. So beautiful, but way up there on the pucker factor, at least heading in the opposite direction.

That section is off-camber towards the cliff! Any excess speed might not make the turn or if loose or wet. Sketchy. Wonder what really happened, he' familiar with the area.

 

[Sarge502]

Yeah thats the spot, at the 11:55ish mark in the video. Of course in the video they were going South bound as opposed to the actual incident reports they were going Northbound towards Ouray and went off to the right which directionally makes sense. Tragic

Crazy the previous post with the photo opp in the same spot. That would freak me out in hindsight.

 

[OngsterA]

It looks like the Gladiator belonged to the two tourists?! Hired driver.

"Arizona tourists Diana Robles, 28, Ofelia Figueroa-Perez, 60, and hired driver Don Fehd, 72, were all killed when their 2022 Jeep Gladiator drifted off the edge of Ouray County Road 361 and landed hundreds of feet below, according to the Montrose Daily Press.

The vehicle first fell 100 feet to the bottom of a cliff, according to police and the outlet. It then rolled about 140 feet down a rocky embankment, ejecting Fehd, officials said. The bodies of the two sightseers were found in the car, which rested on its roof near the bank of a creek, police said."

https://nypost.com/2022/09/15/3-killed-after-jeep-falls-off-colorado-cliff-during-tour/

 

[Alans17]

It looks like the Gladiator belonged to the two tourists?! Hired driver.

"Arizona tourists Diana Robles, 28, Ofelia Figueroa-Perez, 60, and hired driver Don Fehd, 72, were all killed when their 2022 Jeep Gladiator drifted off the edge of Ouray County Road 361 and landed hundreds of feet below, according to the Montrose Daily Press.

The vehicle first fell 100 feet to the bottom of a cliff, according to police and the outlet. It then rolled about 140 feet down a rocky embankment, ejecting Fehd, officials said. The bodies of the two sightseers were found in the car, which rested on its roof near the bank of a creek, police said."

https://nypost.com/2022/09/15/3-killed-after-jeep-falls-off-colorado-cliff-during-tour/

I doubt that. If you rent a car, do you not call it your car?

 

[WILDHOBO]

That’s horrifying.

 

[mx5red]

Another fatality this week, man this is rough!
https://people.com/human-interest/f...ng-accident-with-9-year-old-son-still-inside/

Says he was belted in.. how do you get pinned under vehicle then?

 

[FitfulGoat]

It’s not always about how technical a trail is as much as the consequences should something go wrong.

Most of the roads that comprise the “alpine loop” area have sections like this. Even milder trails like engineer and mineral springs have drop areas where death is the most likely outcome.

Good reminder to always be at 110% vigilance when out there enjoying the trails.

Sponsored