Accident strews debris along highway

    Emergency personnel had a busy Sunday and Monday when three potentially serious accidents were reported.
    Monday’s accident east of Imperial called out the sheriff’s office, Imperial EMS and Imperial Volunteer Fire Department at 8:45 a.m. when a pickup pulling a trailer was hit from behind.
    Sheriff Kevin Mueller’s report said a 2013 Chevy pickup driven by Sid Bartels, 54, of Imperial was pulling an enclosed trailer eastbound on Highway 6. It had slowed to make a right-hand turn into the Jamie and Brandy Hanes residence, just off the highway on the south.
    As the pickup and trailer slowed, a 2004 Kenworth semi also heading eastbound did not see the pickup slowing down to make the turn, Mueller reported. The semi driver, Kenneth Parrish, 38, of Palisade realized he was going to hit the vehicle so he locked up his brakes, causing the semi to jackknife, Mueller said.
    The semi’s passenger rear axle struck the trailer, Mueller said, causing it to spin around, and end up facing west.
    The rear of Bartels’ trailer was broken open, spilling the sprinkler irrigation contents on the highway and  shoulder.  
    Bartels’ trailer was considered a total loss and it appeared there was no damage to the pickup, Mueller added. The semi damage was estimated at over $25,000.
    No one was injured, according to reports on scene.
    The IVFD helped remove debris from the highway, and then sprayed it down with water.
Pair of accidents
    Two rural accidents called emergency personnel Sunday.
    The first came about 9:10 a.m. when Sebastian Sis, 20, of Imperial was driving a 1997 Ford pickup on 734 Road, west of Champion, when it caught on fire.
    IVFD First Asst. Chief Brad Wheeler said the vehicle was fully involved when they arrived. After putting out the flames, the IVFD finished with foam application, he said.
    The Lamar Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the scene.
    Sis’ pickup  was a total loss, Mueller said.
    Later that day at 4:10 p.m., the sheriff’s office received a call on a one-vehicle rollover accident on county road 742, west of Lamar.
    The sheriff’s office along with the IVFD, Imperial EMS and the LVFD responded to the scene, between 310 and 312 Avenues.
    Mueller reported that Ethan Andersen, 18  of Holyoke, Colorado was eastbound in a 2006 Nissan Titan pickup  on Road 742 where it had been raining, making the road muddy.
    Andersen lost control due to the muddy road and went into the ditch, rolling the pickup. There were no injuries and Andersen refused treatment, Mueller said.
    The pickup was considered a total loss.