GIRL, 9, AMONG DEAD IN BLAZING I-70 TRUCK CRASH IN HIGH COUNTRY; STATE PATROL SEEKS WITNESSES

A young girl was among the dead when a semi-truck swerved, rolled, crashed and burned on a mountainous stretch of I-70 in Summit County, the Colorado State Patrol said.

Officials issued this account of Sunday's tragedy that claimed a total of three lives:

"A Freightliner Cascadia semi, with a trailer, was traveling westbound on a downhill straightway on Interstate 70. The Freightliner traveled off the right side of the road, when approaching a curve to the right.

"The semi came back onto the road and struck the center concrete barrier, rolling across the road, blocking the lanes of travel. The Freightliner became fully engulfed while rolling."

The patrol identified the driver as a woman, age 37, from Deming, New Mexico. The passengers were identified as a man, 39, also from Deming, and a girl, 9, from Jacksonville, Florida. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

If you witnessed this crash and have not spoken to investigators, contact Colorado State Patrol Dispatch at (970) 249-4392. Reference No. VC250372. Be prepared to provide your name and contact information.

[Photos: Colorado State Patrol]