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One killed, one hurt in I-70 crash

By Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published May 30, 2008 at 11:40 a.m.
Updated May 30, 2008 at 11:40 a.m.

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A woman was killed and a man seriously injured when a truck struck their vintage 1962 Studebaker and both vehicles rolled off Interstate 70.

The crashed occurred about 4 p.m. Thursday as the Kansas couple in the gray 1962 Studebaker drove west on I-70 near Seibert, Co.

A yellow moving truck towing a trailer car pulled alongside, sideswiping the Studebaker, state Trooper Gilbert Mares said in a statement.

The Studebaker veered off the right side of the road and rolled 1 1/2 times, ejecting the couple. It came to rest on its top.

The truck also went off the right side of the road, rolling through a fence and landing on its side.

Anita K. Barnett, 53, of Grinnell, Kan., an unbuckled passenger in the Studebaker, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Kit Carson County coroner.

James F. Calhoun, 46, of Claflin, Kan., the Studebaker driver, was also not wearing a seat belt. He suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital and later airlifted to St. Anthony Central in Denver.

The moving truck driver, George R. Fromm and his passenger, Lisa J. Fromm, 42, both of La Salle, were treated for minor injuries at the scene. Both were wearing seat belts.

George Fromm was released after being issued a summons charging him with one count of careless driving causing death and one count of careless driving causing bodily injury. Both are Class 1 misdemeanor traffic violations.

Comments

  • May 30, 2008

    12:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    happymike44 writes:

    What a moron how much better is his life going to be for killing someone.I often see bonehead driving wonder why it was so important to kill someone over speeding.The worst part is the idiot who caused the accident didn't even get injured badly.Well here comes the wrongful death lawsuits and criminal charges.All for what so he could get ahead a couple of feet.To the family of these two victims I am truly sorry for what has happened to you.May the good lord watch over your families in this trying time.

  • May 30, 2008

    1:06 p.m.

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    lift_up_now writes:

    After living in the Kit Carson County area for years, I realize how unpredictable the winds can be and that driving along I-70 is almost always a constant battle to be alert. The article doesn't mention anything about speed or what other factors may have played a part in this accident. My heart goes out to both families and I hope this will enforce the need to buckle up when you get in a car (even if you have to retrofit older vehicles for seatbelts - they make kits for that). I hate to see any judgments made about either driver (unless drugs or alcohol is a factor) without being in their seats and knowing what the conditions were at the time. I pray that both families will heal from this tragedy and that the gentleman who was seriously injured makes a full recovery.

  • May 30, 2008

    1:50 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    robhan25 writes:

    I lost a brother to a horrible accident in Oct.(out of state) I know how everyone in the family read every single article they could find regarding the accident. We found strength in the positive comments made by strangers. I just want the families to know that my thoughts and prayer are with them and may you find the strength to move forward in a positive light.

    May the gentleman who was seriously injured have a God speed recovery.

  • May 30, 2008

    3:51 p.m.

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    Heidi writes:

    robhan,
    My sympathies go out to you, as well as to all four of the people involved in this accident.
    Now is not the time to make any hasty judgements. Everyone, please save the callous remarks for other stories.

  • May 30, 2008

    9:11 p.m.

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    happymike44 writes:

    This is a horrible tragedy to these people's lives.All because some idiot choose to not obey the law.It is more dangerous now more then ever before.All because someone is speeding or late does not give them the right to endanger lives.The other bonehead thing I see is people who talk on the phone while driving.Please pull over and stop to talk on the phone.Do not answer it while doing seventy miles an hour.Why you are more dangerous then a drunk driver.Everytime you do this you increase the risk of a death or even a maiming of someone innocent.Solve the problem don't be a bonehead when you drive.Pay attention to what you are doing.Save lives and obey the law.Better to be late then in the morgue.

  • May 30, 2008

    9:28 p.m.

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    wes1988 writes:

    Jim is a good friend of mine, and he drives thousands of miles in a year for the past 28 years, and he has never been in an accident until now, and I have ridden in the Studebaker (he owns around 25). Speed was a factor, this article is incorrect. The truck attempted to pass on the interstate and that is when the car was hit on the back left side, because Jim was driving in the slow lane at 55mph. Jim’s back has been broken in 5 places, and he has a broken shoulder and clavicle, he is however fully communicating and has feeling in his legs and is still sensitive in all parts of his body. I own 5 classic cars, and seatbelts under all state laws are grandfathered and you do not have to have seatbelts. So, this article talking about people not wearing seatbelts is true, but, to the laman they dont realise that this car does not and does not have to have seatbelts. The woman in the car with him was their family friend and it was not 'their car' as the article says Jim, being the nice guy he is was helping out one of their friends. He was on his way to a gig to play music and him and his wife Chris travel the U.S. playing for fairs and festivals and coming up is their season with alot of gigs, so, pray for his speedy recovery and for his wife, son, and daughter.

    Update:Jim apparently from what his wife Chris tells me was ejected on impact before the car began to flip so, he was ejected and then the car flipped the first time. So, actually being ejected was a good thing, he got lucky because, he landed on his shoulder and did not land on his head or get smashed by the car. His back is broken/fractured in 5 places, ribs are broken, and knee. They will be doing the surgery on the knee first. He is of sound mind and communicating fully but, is in alot of pain. The police report says that the truck driver is at fault. Don't people pay attention driving anymore?

  • May 30, 2008

    9:42 p.m.

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    blacksho89 writes:

    HappyMike: Please use a space after periods and commas. It will make you letters easier to read. Thank You!

  • May 30, 2008

    10:13 p.m.

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    FallyBerry writes:

    Wes1988, please send along all of our very best wishes for Jim and his family and the family of his passenger who was killed. Thank you for mentioning the seatbelt info, it really bothered me that the people at the Rocky failed to mention the fact that vehicles were not manufactured with seatbelts back then. DUH. Wake up journalists. I realize they are trying to point out how safe seatbelts make people, but leaving out some of the facts of the situation definitely makes for an assumption of negligence on the part of your friend which is wholly inappropriate.

    All my best, we are thinking of your friends.

  • May 31, 2008

    12:16 a.m.

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    happymike44 writes:

    Hey Wes I am sorry for what has happened.I survived a head on collison many years ago and do not take life for granted anymore. I do understand the law about the seatbelts. I owned a classic 1979 Cadillac for many years. The joy of driving these cars is wonderful. I do hope he is going to do well in the future.May he have a speedy and blessed recovery. Thanks for posting a update on your friends well being. So people speeding does lead to death and maiming. Please slow down because the life you save maybe your own.

  • May 31, 2008

    12:02 p.m.

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    wes1988 writes:

    I have written to the writer of this 'article' about some major mistakes in it. Such as saying they were a 'couple' which is incorrect, she was a family friend of Jim and His wife Chris and Jim was giving her a ride. Also, there are some other things as well.