This week's headlines

A single vehicle roll-over accident on Highway 65 at Oatman Road last week resulted in death of the driver. The seatbelt was in use.

According to the Delta County Coroner’s office, Vincent Medrano, 60,  of Eckert was killed in the mishap that took place at about 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6.

The accident was described as “unusual” by Colorado State Patrol Trooper Reed who responded at the scene.

Medrano’s vehicle was traveling southbound. It swerved across the oncoming traffic lane and onto the northbound shoulder before correcting and swerving back across traffic lanes to the southbound shoulder, and then again to the northbound shoulder.

After having crossed both lanes of traffic three times, the vehicle commenced to roll “two and a half times with a one-quarter twist,” said Trooper Reed, and going end-over-end.

The vehicle, after swerving and rolling for more than 1,000 feet,  finally came to rest on the northbound shoulder just south of the Oatman Road intersection.

Some oncoming traffic in the northbound lane had been able to observe the Medrano vehicle begin swerving and was able to slow and avoid involvement.

Though a seatbelt was in use, it was unable to completely restrain the body because of incredible force generated by the rolling vehicle, Trooper Reed said.

Nevertheless, the Colorado State Patrol reminds drivers and their passengers that seatbelts do save lives and always advises to buckle up.

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