Staff Writer
A one-vehicle accident on Turkey Springs Road, near the intersection with Newt Jack Road claimed the life of one Pagosa Springs man and seriously injured another on Friday.
According to the accident blotter from the Colorado State Patrol, the vehicle was traveling eastbound on the road (Forest Service Road 629) on a downgrade approaching a left curve when it skidded in the roadway for 60 feet, and for another 18 feet on the shoulder.
The vehicle then ran off the right side of the road at the left curve, and traveled down an embankment for 64 feet before crashing into a tree with the right front of the vehicle.
After a slight rotation, the vehicle came to rest on its wheels approximately 37 feet from the edge of the road.
The driver, Ian M. Martinez, 34, of Pagosa Springs, was seriously injured and was taken to San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, N.M.
The passenger, Leroy G. “Spud” Heaton, 70, also of Pagosa Springs, was pronounced dead at the scene.
For more information, see this week’s issue of The SUN.
randi@pagosasun.com
