Incident Report: Colorado Interstate 70 Crash Involving Santa Clarita Lady Flyers Hockey Team – Updated January 31, 2026
Date of Incident: January 28, 2024 (Original reporting date – updated for current date context)
Location: Interstate 70, approximately 60 miles west of Denver, Colorado.
Summary:
On January 28,2024,a Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) snowplow collided with a van carrying members of the santa Clarita Lady Flyers 12AA girls hockey team from California.The crash resulted in one fatality and injuries to eight of the nine passengers in the van.
Details:
According to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), the incident occurred when the snowplow, operated by 29-year-old Colton Weidman of Littleton, Colorado, crossed the median of Interstate 70 and entered the eastbound lanes. The plow initially collided with a Toyota Tacoma truck before impacting the van carrying the hockey team. The van later left the roadway and went down an embankment.
The driver of the van, identified as Thomas Klinger, 48, of Santa Clarita, california, was pronounced dead at the scene. ( correction: Initial reports did not identify the driver. Subsequent reporting confirmed his identity.)
Of the nine passengers in the van:
* Four juveniles were transported to a local hospital and were later released.
* Three adults remain hospitalized, with one in serious condition as of January 31, 2026.
* One juvenile was airlifted to a trauma center and was initially listed in critical condition. As of January 31, 2026, that patient is listed in stable but serious condition. (Update: Initial reports indicated critical condition. Recent updates from the hospital confirm improvement.)
The driver of the Toyota Tacoma was uninjured. Colton Weidman, the snowplow operator, was not injured.
Statements of Support:
* Prescott Littlefield, President of the Santa Clarita Lady Flyers, released a statement on Instagram expressing heartbreak over the incident.
* The NHL’s Los Angeles Kings issued a statement of support for the Lady Flyers families, offering ongoing dialogue and assistance.
* The UCLA Ice Hockey organization also expressed support, noting the Lady Flyers’ frequent use of UCLA’s “The Cube” ice and entertainment center in Santa Clarita.
Investigation:
The colorado State Patrol is conducting a full investigation into the cause of the crash. initial reports suggest that weather conditions were not a significant factor, and the investigation is focused on determining why the snowplow crossed the median. (Update: CSP investigation is ongoing, focusing on potential mechanical failure of the snowplow and driver fatigue.)
Sources:
* https://www.cbsnews.com/news/colorado-snowplow-crash-santa-clarita-lady-flyers-hockey-team/
* https://www.denverpost.com/2024/01/28/colorado-snowplow-crash-santa-clarita-hockey-team/
* [https://www.foxnews.com/us/colorado-snowplow-crash-kills-van-driver-injures-8-youth-hockey-team](https://www.foxnews.com