A motorcycle crash on Coal Bank Pass near Durango left one man dead and another seriously injured on Friday afternoon.
The collision occurred just before 2 p.m. on U.S. Highway 550, near milepost 55, according to Trooper Hunter Mathews with the Colorado State Patrol. A 53-year-old man from New Mexico was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 73-year-old man from Texas was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
The identities of the riders have not been released pending notification of next of kin. Both were operating Harley-Davidson motorcycles—one black and one red.
The specific cause of the crash is currently under investigation, and authorities did not confirm whether the riders were acquaintances or riding together.
While the highway remained open, traffic was reduced to one alternating lane as emergency responders managed the scene.
Authorities will continue to investigate the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding the collision.