RBC I A one-vehicle rollover accident on the Douglas Pass road claimed the lives of three men in the morning hours of Thursday last.
Stephen E. Geyler, 40, Joseph C. Orris III, 48, and Ryan R. Rouse, 37, were all pronounced dead on scene, approximately 27 miles south of Rangely. The three were working in Rangely but all of them lived in Grand Junction. Geyler and Rouse were Rangely High School graduates and Orris was graduated from Meeker High School.
According to the Colorado State Patrol accident report, a green Ford F350, owned by Geyler, was traveling southbound on Colorado 139 near mile marker 45 in Rio Blanco County, when the truck entered a left hand curve in the roadway and drove off the right side of the road for approximately 133 feet. The vehicle returned to the roadway and over-corrected the steering, causing the truck to begin rotating clockwise as it traveled off the right side of the roadway. The truck rolled over two times, ejecting the occupants from inside the truck.
A passerby found the crash scene Oct. 20 and called 911 at approximately 6 a.m. The Colorado State Patrol, Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office, Rio Blanco County Coroner’s Office, Colorado Department of Transportation crews and Rangely Fire and EMS responded to the scene.