Tragic Crash, Steep Recovery for CO Towing Company

Photo by JERRY McBRIDE/Herald Animas Towing & Recovery employees, from left, Robert Hook, John Sites, Kenny Jenkins and Mark Mackie work to recover a car Tuesday that went down a steep embankment at the Twilight Peak pull-out on U.S. Highway 550 near Coal Bank Pass. Authorities said the victim was from Las Vegas.

Story from the Durango Herald News:

Authorities on Tuesday identified a woman who apparently died when her Lexus plunged 550 feet off an embankment on Coal Bank Pass.

Antonetta Massey, 43, of Las Vegas, was reported missing Saturday morning by her husband, from whom she is separated and who lives in Denver, said Capt. Martin Petrik, with the Colorado State Patrol.

The accident likely occurred sometime between Friday and Sunday afternoon on Coal Bank Pass at mile marker 57.5, where there is a pull-off for drivers to view Twilight Peak, he said.

Troopers continue to investigate the cause of the accident.

Employees from a local towing company recovered the car's wreckage Tuesday from the bottom of the embankment.

Anyone who saw a 1995 dark gray Lexus sedan driving on the pass or parked at the Twilight Peak overlook between noon Friday and Saturday morning should call the Colorado State Patrol at 385-1675. Callers should ask for Capt. Martin Petrik, investigator Steve Nowlin or Trooper Jonathan Silver.

A Durango snowboarder noticed the crunched car about 4:10 p.m. Sunday while parked at the Twilight Peak overlook.