Grand Junction, Colo. — A violent collision between two vehicles brought traffic to a standstill at a busy Grand Junction intersection on Thursday morning. Emergency crews rushed to Patterson Road and 24 ½ Road after reports of a crash involving injuries and a trapped motorist. The accident disrupted travel near Mesa Mall for nearly an hour as police worked to clear the wreckage.
Emergency Crews Race to Rescue Trapped Driver
The crash occurred at approximately 11:25 a.m. on Thursday, February 12. First responders arrived to find a chaotic scene involving a Jaguar and a Subaru blocking the westbound lanes. Reports indicate that airbags deployed in both vehicles during the impact.
Witnesses at the scene described a frightening aftermath. One person was reportedly trapped inside their vehicle and required assistance from the Grand Junction Fire Department to get out.
Medical personnel treated at least two people at the scene. One woman suffered bleeding injuries to her hands while another female patient reported severe stomach pain. Both individuals were evaluated by paramedics before being transported for further care. The extent of the damage was severe. The Jaguar and Subaru both sustained heavy front-end damage that rendered them undrivable.
Mesa Mall Traffic Grind to a Halt
The collision caused immediate gridlock on one of Grand Junction’s busiest commercial corridors. Police were forced to close the westbound lanes of Patterson Road to ensure the safety of the victims and the emergency teams.
Drivers attempting to reach the nearby Mesa Mall or commute through the area faced significant delays. Traffic backed up quickly as officers diverted cars away from the debris field scattered across the intersection.
Tow trucks arrived shortly after noon to remove the mangled SUVs. It took crews roughly 45 minutes to sweep the shattered glass and vehicle parts from the wet asphalt. The road was finally reopened to normal traffic flow later in the afternoon.
Wet Roads and Busy Intersections
Weather conditions may have played a role in the Thursday morning accident. Light rain and chilly temperatures created slick driving surfaces across the Grand Valley earlier in the day.
Patterson Road is known for its high traffic volume and frequent congestion. The intersection at 24 ½ Road serves as a critical access point for both residential neighborhoods and major retail centers. City officials have previously noted that this stretch of road sees thousands of vehicles daily.
Local drivers have long expressed concerns about the speed and density of traffic in this specific area. The combination of wet winter roads and midday congestion often increases the risk of rear-end and T-bone collisions.
Police Urge Caution After chaotic Week
This accident marks another busy event for local emergency services this week. The Grand Junction Police Department has responded to multiple incidents across the city recently including theft reports and other traffic stops.
Authorities are still investigating the official cause of the crash. Officers at the scene took measurements and interviewed witnesses to determine who had the right of way.
Police remind all motorists to slow down when roads are wet. They also urge drivers to eliminate distractions like cell phones while navigating complex intersections. Keeping a safe following distance is the best way to prevent sudden collisions.
The investigation is ongoing. Police have not yet issued any citations related to the crash.
