Seatbelts and airbags saved driver

ALAMOSA — The Colorado State Patrol is investigating a vehicle versus guardrail and message board sign crash on Aug. 26. The one-car crash was on Colorado Highway 285 at milepost 32.4, approximately two miles south of Alamosa resulting in minor injury to the driver.

At approximately 8:35 a.m. on Aug.26, a 2006 orange Chevrolet Cobalt car driven by Areana Atencio, 18 of Antonito, was northbound on Colorado 285 when it veered off the west side of the highway and collided with a guardrail. After it hit the guardrail, the car rotated and then rolled onto its side and finally collided with a concrete and steel state message board.  After impact with the message board, the Chevy rolled back onto its wheels coming to rest against the VMS message board facing east.

Atencio was transported by ambulance to the Alamosa Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.  Atencio was wearing his seatbelt and the airbag deployed. Both were credited as a reason why more serious or fatal injury didn’t result from the crash, according to CSP Trooper Kelly Rippe.


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