ELBERT COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Just out of the hospital Tuesday night with a broken rib, a banged-up arm, a bunch of scratches and an unforgettable story to tell, David Martinez is counting his blessings.
“I don’t know, just didn’t expect it. I didn’t see him. I didn’t see it coming. Next thing I know, I’m on top of a van,” Martinez, 49, Denver, told FOX31.
It happened Tuesday afternoon on Delbert Road near County Road 178 on the Douglas-Elbert County line. Martinez and his coworker had just wrapped up work at a construction site and were headed to Home Depot for more material.
Investigators say his vehicle was hit from behind, spun 180 degrees, and came to rest on top of the van in front of him.
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David Martinez, 49, Denver, was driving a white SUV on Delbert Road near Parker Tuesday when he was rear-ended. The impact launched his vehicle 70 feet down the road and on top of his coworker’s construction van. (Photo courtesy David Martinez) -
A crash on Delbert Road in Douglas County closed the roadway on Tuesday, June 24, as seen from SkyFOX. (KDVR) -
A crash on Delbert Road in Douglas County closed the roadway on Tuesday, June 24, as seen from SkyFOX. (KDVR)
“It’s raining pretty hard, I guess it’s kind of slowing down. The rain was slowing down. We were coming to a stop. And the dually (pickup) behind me. It didn’t stop,” Martinez said. “The lady that was behind him said that he flew around her and didn’t even slam on the brakes or nothing, just plowed right into me.”
Once the confusion cleared, they snapped a few pictures of the unforgettable crash. Martinez said it took a few minutes for him to realize the precarious position his SUV ended up in. He’ll have plenty of time to think about the crash now. Doctors tell him he’ll need four to six weeks to recover from the collision.
“I’m just glad I walked away, man. I, you know, I’m just glad I’m here.”
Elbert County officials say the driver of the pickup went to the hospital with unknown injuries, and they are investigating speed as a factor in the crash.
