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Bus Driver Killed While Putting Chains On Tires Near Aspen Park

ASPEN PARK, Colo. (CBS4) - Multiple crashes, one of them deadly, forced officials to close Highway 285 in two locations west of Denver during a snowstorm Friday afternoon. The highway reopened just after 4:15 p.m.

The Colorado State Patrol is investigating the deadly crash that happened four miles east of Aspen Park. A Jefferson County school bus driver was transporting fellow bus drivers to a bus barn. The driver got out to put chains on the bus, and another one of the bus drivers got out to help. That man was struck by a pickup truck that lost control.

The victim, whose name hasn't been released, died at the scene.

No students were on board the bus and nobody else was hurt in the crash.

Three other vehicles crashed in an effort to avoid the crash. Nobody was hurt in those cases.

Police will investigate to see whether if the pickup driver will face any charges. His name also hasn't been released.

Dan Hatlestad with Inter-Canyon Fire Rescue says there is a lesson for motorists about standing on a roadway, especially in bad weather.

"I strongly urge people, that if they have a problem with their vehicle, don't just pull off the road, but get off the road," Hatlestad said. "Pull into a local shop, a parking lot, and make any vehicle repairs or adjustments that are necessary far off the road."

There were several other crashes in that area, mostly involving fender benders.

The highway remained closed near Grant, east of Kenosha Pass, for about two hours for accidents and winter driving conditions. That portion of the highway reopened at 4:30 p.m.

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