20+ agencies respond to deadly crash on I-25 south of Pueblo

Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect an additional two deceased animals. (PUEBLO, Colo.) — Multiple agencies responded on Tuesday, Feb. 17, to care for people and animals involved in a fatal 30-car pileup on I-25 south of Pueblo. In addition to law enforcement, CommonSpirit St. Mary-Corwin Hospital, the Pueblo Fire Department, and Animal Law Enforcement all stepped up to rescue and provide care to over 20 injured people and multiple injured animals. In total, 23 agencies responded to the crash, with more than 50 responders on scene. According to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), the crash happened around 10 a.m. on Tuesday, about a mile south of Pueblo. The interstate was closed for several hours as a result of the crash, and the northbound lanes remained closed as of Tuesday afternoon. Four people were killed--David L. Kirscht and his son Scott L. Kirscht from Walsenburg, Mary Sue Thayer from Rye, and Karen Ann Marsh from Pueblo. Another 29 people were taken to the hospital with injuries. According to Mike Cafasso, President of CommonSpirit, St. Mary-Corwin Hospital in Pueblo, high winds in the area of the crash made response difficult for the Flight for Life Helicopter, and eventually it was grounded out of caution. The hospital was immediately informed of a mass casualty event, which means staff prepare for a potentially large number of injured patients. Staff are already trained through yearly mass-casualty simulations to be prepared for this scenario, Cafasso said. St. Mary-Corwin is a level three trauma center, meaning it can handle most patients who don't require immediate surgery or who haven't suffered a brain injury. As of a press conference on Tuesday, only one patient had to be transported to a level-one hospital for further care, Cafasso said. FOX21 News also reached out to UCHealth, which said "UCHealth Parkview has treated 19 total patients, 14 at Parkview Medical Center and 5 at Parkview Pueblo West Hospital." Eric Knight with the Pueblo Fire Department (PFD) said he has been with the department for 23 years, and he has never seen a crash like this one. "This is probably the largest incident that I personally have been involved with," said Knight. Among the vehicles involved was at least one livestock trailer, and Animal Law Enforcement (ALE) said about 30 sheep and one goat were either loose at the crash scene or trapped inside the wreckage of the trailer. Multiple agencies helped gather the animals and place them safely in a trailer for reunification with caretakers. Unfortunately, four of the sheep were too injured to recover, according to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR). "Our hearts are with every person affected by this tragic accident, and especially with the families of those who did not survive," HSPPR said. "In moments like these, when fear, confusion, and loss weigh heavily, we are reminded how important it is to show up for one another. We are grateful our officers were able to step in to protect and care for the animals involved, bringing a measure of safety and steadiness to a chaotic situation."