Two people cheated death Saturday morning when their vehicle slid off Interstate 70 and plunged into the freezing Colorado River near Glenwood Springs. Quick action by first responders pulled both occupants to safety with nothing worse than being cold and soaked. The dramatic rescue highlights once again how deadly black ice can turn a routine drive into a nightmare in seconds.

Crash Happened in Blink of an Eye

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office says the single-vehicle crash occurred around 7 a.m. at mile marker 112, just past the South Canyon exit on I-70 eastbound.

Witnesses reported the car hit a patch of black ice, spun out, broke through a guardrail, and dropped nearly straight down into the river. Photos shared by deputies show the silver sedan almost completely submerged, with only the roof and part of the trunk still visible above the fast-moving current.

Water temperature was in the low 30s Fahrenheit. Survival experts say most people lose the ability to function in water that cold within 10 to 15 minutes.

Both occupants managed to get out of the sinking car on their own and were standing on the roof when rescuers arrived.

Rescue Teams Arrive Within Minutes

Glenwood Springs Fire Department, Garfield County Search and Rescue, and sheriff’s deputies responded within six minutes of the 911 call.

Rescuers threw ropes to the stranded pair and pulled them across the icy water to shore. Crews then used a ladder truck to stabilize the vehicle while Colorado Department of Transportation workers assessed damage to the guardrail.

“These folks are incredibly lucky,” Garfield County Sheriff’s spokesperson Lou Vallario told reporters at the scene. “Another five minutes and this could have been a recovery instead of a rescue.”

The right lane of I-70 eastbound stayed closed for about two hours while crews worked. Traffic backed up for miles as drivers slowed to look at the partially submerged car.

Black Ice Catches Drivers Off Guard Across Region

Colorado State Patrol says troopers responded to 47 slide-offs and crashes in Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin counties between Friday night and Saturday afternoon.

Many drivers told officers they never saw the ice because it was perfectly clear, the dangerous kind known as black ice.

CDOT cameras showed temperatures dropping to 12°F overnight in Glenwood Canyon, creating perfect conditions for refreezing after Friday’s light snow.

The agency issued another High Wind and Safety Closure warning for Glenwood Canyon Saturday evening as winds picked up again.

Why This Stretch of I-70 Remains So Dangerous

Glenwood Canyon has long been one of Colorado’s most treacherous highway sections in winter.

The 12-mile stretch of I-70 features elevated viaducts, tight curves, and constant shade that keeps ice on the road long after the sun comes up. CDOT spends millions each year on de-icing and avalanche control here.

Saturday’s crash marks at least the fourth time in six years that a vehicle has gone into the Colorado River in this exact area.

• December 2021: Pickup truck plunged in, driver self-rescued
• February 2023: Semi-truck jackknifed and dangled over the edge
• January 2025: Two vehicles slid into river within same week

Local residents say they hold their breath every time they drive that section in winter.

Simple Steps That Can Save Your Life on Icy Roads

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office used Saturday’s close call to remind drivers of basic winter safety rules:

• Slow down, especially before bridges and shaded curves
• Increase following distance to at least 8-10 seconds
• Assume any wet-looking pavement is ice when temps are below freezing
• Keep an emergency kit with blanket, food, water, and charger in your car
• If you start to slide, steer into the skid and avoid slamming brakes

One small mistake on black ice can send you off the road before you even realize what happened. These two people walked away Saturday because rescuers reached them fast and they stayed calm.

Their story is a stark reminder that winter driving in the mountains demands full attention every single second.

What do you think about winter driving in Colorado? Have you ever hit black ice on I-70 through Glenwood Canyon? Share your stories below.