Colorado Driver Survives 300-Foot Fall from Million Dollar Highway with Only Minor Injuries
OURAY, COLORADO — A Colorado driver is lucky to be alive after surviving a 300-foot plunge from the state’s infamous Million Dollar Highway, one of the most treacherous mountain routes in the U.S.
According to the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team, the pickup truck veered off U.S. Highway 550 around 12:20 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, tumbling into the Uncompahgre River Gorge between mile markers 88 and 89.
Multiple Agencies Responded to Dramatic Rescue
Emergency responders from Ouray County EMS, the Ouray Volunteer Fire Department, and the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team were dispatched for what they described as a technical rope rescue.
“First responders performed a rope rescue of the only occupant of a pickup truck that plummeted 300 feet into the gorge,” the rescue team said in a Facebook statement.
Photos shared by the team showed a mangled pickup truck lodged near the riverbank, illustrating the severity of the fall. Despite the wreckage, rescuers said the driver sustained only minor injuries and was safely transported for medical evaluation.
A Notorious Mountain Highway
The Million Dollar Highway—a scenic but perilous stretch of U.S. 550 that winds through Colorado’s San Juan Mountains—has long been considered one of America’s most dangerous roads.
Described by Ouray’s tourism board as a “scenic and treacherous mountain road,” the route features narrow lanes, sharp hairpin turns, and steep cliffs with no guardrails. It’s a popular yet risky drive for adventurers and tourists seeking panoramic mountain views.
Officials warn that conditions can change quickly, especially during fall and winter weather, increasing the likelihood of dangerous accidents.
Recent Fatal Crashes Highlight Road’s Dangers
The same stretch of highway was the site of a fatal crash on August 5, when a car rolled approximately 320 feet down Red Mountain Pass, killing two people and injuring a young passenger.
Authorities identified the victims as Louis Michael, 42, and Leoba Valdez, 79, both of Aztec, New Mexico. That crash, along with several other incidents this year, has renewed concerns about driver safety on steep mountain routes.
“This road is breathtaking but unforgiving,” said Trooper Hunter Mathews of the Colorado State Patrol, who confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the latest crash is ongoing.
Officials Urge Caution for Mountain Drivers
As fall temperatures drop and early-season snow arrives in higher elevations, Ouray County officials are urging drivers to slow down, check conditions, and prepare for sudden weather changes when traveling through the mountains.
The Ouray tourist office continues to emphasize that even experienced drivers should avoid distractions, check tire traction, and drive cautiously, especially on the Million Dollar Highway’s narrowest cliffside sections.
Stay updated on more Colorado travel safety alerts, weather updates, and mountain rescue reports at NapervilleLocal.com, your trusted source for verified local coverage.
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