Triple Fatal Crash on US Highway 6

Colorado - In coordination with the Mesa County Coroner's Office, the names of the three individuals killed in yesterday's crash on westbound US Highway 6 near milepost 40 are provided below. We are including additional information about the two CDOT Maintainers as well as statements from three State officials.

• Passenger in Jeep Grand Cherokee - Kathi Ann Wallace, from Grand Junction, Colo.
• CDOT Maintainer - Trent Umberger was hired in March 2017. He was a Transportation Maintenance professional who worked in Grand Junction. Trent also supported the Vail Pass patrol on the I-70 corridor during the winters as part of the joint operations team
• CDOT Maintainer - Nathan Jones was hired in December 2022. He was a Transportation Maintenance professional who worked in Grand Junction. Nathan was in the CDOT Maintenance Apprenticeship Program and was on schedule to be one of the first to complete the program in December 2024

Official Statements:

Shoshana M. Lew, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Transportation

The CDOT team is heartbroken by the loss of our two colleagues, Trent Umberger and Nathan Jones. Trent and Nate were beloved members of CDOT region 3, section 2 — remembered by their teammates as dedicated to their families and the traveling public and always willing to lend a hand to keep others safe. We are devastated to lose them, and their families and friends are in all of our hearts during this difficult time.

Governor Jared Polis, State of Colorado

My heart goes out to the families of Trent Umberger and Nathan Jones, two dedicated maintainers with the Colorado Department of Transportation, as well as passenger Kathi Wallace, who lost their lives yesterday. This is a terrible tragedy, and while words won’t relieve the pain of this moment for their loved ones, know that the state of Colorado mourns alongside them. To recognize this tragedy and loss, I will be lowering flags to honor their lives and service,” said Governor Jared Polis.

Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol

The impact and grief from yesterday’s crash continue to deepen. The Colorado State Patrol is investigating all factors involved in this incident, and once it is complete, we will update the community.

Original Colorado State Patrol Release

Palisade, Colo. - At 10:42 a.m. on September 4, 2024, the Colorado State Patrol responded to a report of a crash resulting in three fatalities, on Highway 6 westbound near milepost 40, in Mesa County.

Initial investigations show the crash involved a Jeep Grand Cherokee that struck two CDOT employees working outside of their vehicle and then a parked CDOT vehicle, causing the Jeep to roll. The CDOT vehicle was parked off the road to the right side of the fog line.

From the vehicle involved in the crash, one occupant was transported to an area hospital, and one was pronounced fatal at the scene. The two CDOT workers were pronounced fatal at the scene.

All lanes of Highway 6 are closed at this time, from 35 Road to 34 Road. This will be an extended closure with no known timeframe for reopening.
Identification of the fatal parties will be released by the Mesa County Coroner’s Office. The details leading to the cause of the crash are still being investigated by the Colorado State Patrol, Vehicular Crimes Unit.