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BLACK FOREST, El Paso County, Colo., Sept. 23, 2026 — One person was taken to a hospital after a five-vehicle crash on Monday afternoon, September 21, at the intersection of Burgess Road and Black Forest Road. A driver reportedly ran a red light before the collision, according to Black Forest Fire Rescue.
Firefighters and medical crews responded to the intersection after the crash, which involved five vehicles. One person was taken to a hospital for treatment. The extent of that person's injuries has not been released.
Black Forest Fire Rescue said the crash followed a driver's decision to disregard the traffic signal at the intersection. The agency has not said whether citations have been issued or whether the case remains under review.
No other injuries were reported. Further details, including the number of people in each vehicle and any additional medical evaluations, have not been released.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
What the Numbers Show About Multi-Vehicle Crashes
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,979 passenger-car occupants were killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger car and a light truck in 2023. That figure reflects a wider pattern: crashes involving more than one vehicle, especially at intersections, tend to multiply the number of people and vehicles caught up in a single event, which is part of why chain-reaction collisions like a five-car pileup draw an outsized emergency response even when injuries turn out to be limited.
Intersection crashes make up a large share of multi-vehicle collisions nationally, usually tied to a single vehicle entering against a signal or failing to stop in time. When one vehicle is struck and pushed into cross traffic or rear-ends another car ahead of it, the result can quickly involve three, four, or more vehicles before anyone has time to react.
Red light running in particular tends to produce broadside or T-bone impacts, which carry different injury patterns than a simple rear-end collision. That is one reason fire and rescue agencies dispatch multiple units to these scenes even before the number of people hurt is known.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can drivers avoid getting caught in a multi-vehicle pileup?
Keeping a safe following distance and watching cross-traffic signals as you approach an intersection gives you more time to react if another driver runs a light or stops short. Scanning several cars ahead, not just the vehicle directly in front, helps you spot trouble early.
What should I do if I'm stopped near a crash on a busy road?
Stay in your vehicle if it's safe to do so, turn on hazard lights, and wait for emergency crews to direct traffic. Avoid getting out to look at the scene unless you're able to help and it's safe.
How does following distance affect these crashes?
A shorter following distance leaves less time to brake if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly, which is usually what turns a two-car crash into a chain-reaction collision involving several more vehicles.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Black Forest, CO
If you're involved in a multi-car crash, check on yourself and any passengers first, then move to a safe area if your vehicle is drivable and it's safe to do so. Call 911 even for what seems like a minor collision, since injuries from these crashes aren't always obvious right away. Seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible, even if you feel fine at the scene, and get a copy of the official crash report for your records once it's available.
