UPDATE: Fatal crash near Rifle Wednesday morning

A 26-year-old man was killed Wednesday morning when the car he was driving lost control and hit an SUV head on.

At approximately 6:26 a.m. on Wednesday morning, a 1991 Acura Integra was northbound on Garfield County Road 319 when it lost control after going through a curve. The Integra ended up broadside in the southbound lane and collided with a 1985 Jeep Cherokee that was traveling southbound. The driver of the Integra – Eric Jensen, 26, of Palisade – was pronounced dead on scene. The driver of the Jeep Cherokee – Justin Robinson, 37, of Rifle – was transported to Grand River Hospital in Rifle with non-life-threatening injuries. There were no other occupants.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but excessive speed is being considered as a possible contributing factor. The driver of the Jeep was wearing his seatbelt, and the driver of the Acura was not wearing his seatbelt properly. The weather was clear and dry at the time of the crash.

The Garfield County Sheriff’s Department, Colorado River Fire Rescue and Garfield County Road and Bridge responded to the scene along with the Colorado State Patrol. Big Steve’s Towing towed both vehicles.

The Colorado State Patrol would like to remind drivers of the importance of wearing a seatbelt and obeying the posted speed limits. Following this simple rules will help keep the Colorado roadways safe for everyone.