Loveland, CO : Two people dead and three seriously injured in a car crash on Christmas afternoon, December 25, 2014

A car crash Christmas afternoon between Greeley and Fort Morgan left two dead and three seriously injured.

Harold Clem, 78, of Loveland and Kreston Babcock, 38, of Greeley were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

Babcock was a passenger in the car that Clem was driving, as was Joyce Clem, 83, who was taken to North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley to be treated for serious injuries.

Patsy Johnson, 72, and Larry Overton, 77, of Fort Morgan were in the second car. They also were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

Drugs and alcohol were not involved in the accident, according to Colorado State Patrol Sgt. Rob Madden. Instead, weather conditions including snow on the road and heavy winds were cited as contributing factors.

Madden said Clem was driving a Buick Lucerne west on U.S. 34 when he lost control and slid into the eastbound lanes, where a Buick LaCrosse swerved to try to avoid him, but the two collided, coming to rest in the eastbound lanes.

At the time of the crash about 4:40 p.m., the road was partially covered in snow, with heavy wind and snowfall, Madden said.

While the Christmas Day storm created dangerous driving conditions throughout Northern Colorado, Loveland Police Department Sgt. Bob Shaffer said there was nothing unusual about the number of accidents reported here.

He reminded residents that drivers' inability to stop is usually what causes car crashes when there is snow and ice on the road.

"I would say that once the sun goes down to avoid being out; that's the worst time," Shaffer said. "Drive as far back as you need to so that you can stop. Then, double that (distance)."

Source :
Fatal crash east of Greeley leaves 2 dead, including a Loveland man