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COLORADO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO, Sept. 25, 2026 — One person was airlifted to a hospital after a three-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon, September 24, closed Falcon Highway near Buckboard Drive in Colorado Springs.
The Colorado State Patrol said the crash was reported around 2:32 p.m. Preliminary findings indicate a pickup truck traveling east on Falcon Highway struck the rear of a sedan that had stopped behind a third vehicle attempting a left turn onto northbound Buckboard Drive. The sedan was then pushed forward into the side of the turning vehicle, according to the state patrol.
The sedan's driver, described as a man in his 70s, suffered minor injuries that did not require hospitalization, officials said. A passenger in that same vehicle, a man in his 20s, was flown to an area hospital by helicopter. His condition has not been released. The Falcon Fire Department reportedly used hydraulic rescue tools to free one of the occupants from a vehicle.
The driver of the pickup, an 18-year-old, and two passengers in that vehicle were not injured, the state patrol said. The driver of the third vehicle, a 17-year-old girl, also was not hurt.
Falcon Highway was shut down in both directions for about an hour and 15 minutes before reopening around 3:49 p.m. The crash remains under investigation.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
When Chain-Reaction Crashes on Highways Tend to Happen
Multi-vehicle pileups cluster around the settings drivers travel fast but pay less attention: the afternoon commute, stretches of highway with intersections or turn lanes, and moments when one driver slows or stops unexpectedly. A single vehicle braking for a turn can set off a chain of impacts if the cars behind it are following too closely or moving too fast to react.
Weather and light are also important. Fog, rain, snow, and glare at dawn or dusk cut down the distance a driver has to see and react, and highway speeds leave less room to stop once someone brakes hard. Evening hours also bring more fatigue and, in some crashes, impaired driving, both of which slow reaction time right when a driver needs it most.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 17,008 motor-vehicle crash deaths occurred outside passenger vehicles in crashes involving passenger vehicles in 2023. That figure is a reminder that people on foot, on motorcycles, or in smaller vehicles often bear the worst outcomes when a chain-reaction crash unfolds on a busy roadway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do chain-reaction crashes happen?
They usually start with one vehicle stopping or slowing suddenly, often for a turn or traffic ahead, while following vehicles don't have enough space or time to stop safely.
How can drivers avoid getting caught in a pileup?
Keeping a longer following distance, watching brake lights several cars ahead, and slowing down in heavy traffic or poor visibility all help drivers react before a collision starts.
What should I do if I'm stopped near a crash on the highway?
Turn on hazard lights, stay in the vehicle if it's safe to do so, and move as far from traffic lanes as possible while waiting for help to arrive.
How does fog or low visibility contribute to pileups?
Reduced visibility shortens the distance drivers have to spot trouble ahead, which is part of why low-visibility conditions are linked to some of the largest multi-vehicle crashes on highways.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Colorado Springs, CO
Anyone involved in a multi-car crash should move to a safe area if possible and call for medical help right away, even if injuries seem minor at first. Adrenaline can mask pain, so it's worth getting checked out by a medical provider in the hours afterward.
Take photos of vehicle positions and damage if it's safe to do so, and get contact information from other drivers and any witnesses nearby. Filing a report with police and following up with your insurance company promptly can help make sure the details of what happened are documented while they're still fresh.
