Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Adverse weather and high winds caused dozens of cars to crash on a southeastern Colorado highway, resulting in four deaths and sending at least 29 people to area hospitals, authorities said.
The multi-car pileup occurred at about 10 a.m. MST Tuesday on Interstate 25 near Pueblo, Colo., located about 45 miles south of Colorado Springs.
More than 30 vehicles were involved in the crash that occurred shortly after high wind advisories were issued and as dry dust and dirt picked up by the gusts were being whipped across the interstate, Maj. Brian Lyons, of the Colorado State Patrol, told reporters at a press conference.
"Visibility was next to nothing," Lyons said, describing it as "brown out" conditions.
The National Weather Service said gusts were in excess of 85 mph in mountain areas and 65 mph in the plains. It warned that "significant blowing dust" was possible and that the winds would continue, though weakened, into Wednesday.
