A runaway semi-truck was caught on camera leaving Interstate 70 and entering a runaway truck ramp while descending one of Colorado’s steep mountain sections.
The footage was captured on westbound I-70 as the truck came down the mountain near the Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel. It can be seen leaving the main highway and climbing the emergency escape route, kicking up a large cloud of dust behind it.
The Colorado State Patrol later shared the footage with instructions for motorists who encounter a runaway commercial vehicle.
CSP did not say what caused the truck to become a runaway vehicle. Reuters reported that no injuries were reported.
How Runaway Ramps Protect Mountain Roads
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Runaway truck ramps give heavy vehicles an emergency route off the highway when a driver can no longer safely control the vehicle’s speed.
Colorado’s Freight Plan identifies brake failure as one situation in which these ramps can be needed, particularly on steep downhill sections. The state has 14 runaway truck ramps, including six along the mountainous section of I-70.
One of the busiest is the Lower Straight Creek runaway ramp on westbound I-70, which Colorado identifies as the state’s most frequently used ramp and says averages more than 50 uses each year.
Why Braking Becomes Critical on Steep Descents
Repeated braking on a long mountain descent generates heat.
The Colorado Department of Transportation advises commercial drivers traveling through mountainous areas to check their vehicles before setting off, select appropriate gears and avoid relying excessively on their brakes during steep descents.
When CDOT rebuilt the eastbound Mount Vernon emergency escape ramp in 2024, crews placed roughly three feet of gravel on the ramp. The department said the material stops runaway trucks after they leave the highway.
CDOT also redesigned that ramp to improve visibility and allow truckers to enter later if they miss the beginning of the escape route.
Move Left
The Colorado State Patrol also gave instructions for drivers who see a runaway semi approaching from behind.
“If you are driving down the road and observe a runaway semi-truck coming towards you in your rearview mirrors, stay calm and attempt to merge to the left,” CSP said.
All runaway truck ramps in Colorado are positioned on the right shoulder, according to the agency.
Moving left when it is safe leaves the right side of the highway open for the truck.