Head on collision results in death
by Paul Goetz
Mail News Editor
A head-on collision resulted in the death of a passenger on U.S. 285, about 14 miles north of Fairplay Saturday.
Colorado State Trooper Eric Zachareas reported the northbound Toyota pickup driven by 39-year-old Shahn Eggen of Evergreen was attempting to pass several vehicles.
James Wiggins of Salida was southbound driving a Subaru station wagon and steered right to avoid the head-on collision, but Eggen steered left, Zachareas reported.
Wiggins subsequently tried to steer left, but was unable to avoid the collision and the right front of the Eggen pickup struck the right front of the Wiggins car, the trooper said.
After impact, the Wiggins vehicle continued south, skidding, and stopped on its wheels.
The pickup went off the southbound shoulder, down an embankment, rotating one quarter time and rolling twice.
Zachareas reported a passenger in the Eggen pickup wasn't wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim's name was withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Eggen was not wearing a seat belt, but remained in the vehicle. He received moderate injuries and was transported to St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco, Zachareas reported.
Wiggins was wearing a seat belt and escaped without injury, authorities reported.
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