by Kremmling, CO – A devastating head-on collision on Highway 9 in Colorado has claimed the lives of an entire family of five, leaving the local community reeling from an unimaginable loss.
The crash, which occurred early Monday morning, involved a wrong-way driver whose vehicle slammed into the family’s SUV, resulting in a fiery explosion that killed everyone inside.
Entire Family Dies at the Scene
According to reports, the Cabral-Banuelos family was traveling southbound in a GMC Yukon SUV around 7 a.m. when a Ford F-150 pickup truck traveling in the wrong direction crossed into their lane and collided head-on with their vehicle.
The impact was so forceful that both vehicles burst into flames, leaving little chance for survival. All five family members were pronounced dead at the scene:
- Andres Cabral-Banuelos, 2
- Manuel Cabral-Banuelos, 5
- Maria Cabral-Banuelos, 12
- Andrea Banuelos-Salazar, 30
- Manuel Cabral-Torres, 34
First responders arrived quickly, but despite their best efforts, none of the victims could be saved. The 25-year-old wrong-way driver of the pickup was critically injured and remains hospitalized.
Community in Mourning
The Cabral-Banuelos family was well-known in Kremmling, a small town about 100 miles from Denver. Their sudden and complete loss has stunned friends, neighbors, and relatives.
“In a moment’s time, all five of them are gone,” said Javier Torres-Garcia, a cousin of Manuel. “Just one person alone is tough on a lot of people, but five? It’s just so hard… His youngest was 2 and his oldest was 12. They had their whole life ahead of them.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been organized by the extended family to assist with the expenses of transporting their bodies and planning a funeral. The family hopes to honor them “just as Manuel always wanted — surrounded by love and unity.”
“He was the kind of guy who always tried to get family together,” Torres-Garcia added. “Even if it was for a day or two, he made time. Manny was a great dude, and he’s going to be missed by a lot of people. His kids were very young.”
Authorities Investigating Cause of Crash
The Colorado State Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash, including how the pickup truck ended up traveling the wrong direction. The driver of the Ford F-150 has not been publicly identified, and no charges have been announced yet.
The Grand County Coroner’s Office issued a statement expressing its condolences:
“The loss of an entire family is an unspeakable tragedy, and our hearts are with all who are grieving during this incredibly difficult time.”
Colorado’s Road Fatalities Show Slight Decline
While the Cabral-Banuelos tragedy has shocked the public, Colorado has actually seen a slight decline in roadway deaths this year. As of early July, 278 traffic-related fatalities had been reported statewide, down from 307 during the same period in 2024, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Still, the horrific nature of this incident has reignited calls for increased driver awareness and stronger highway safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.
What should Colorado do to prevent more deadly wrong-way crashes like this? Share your thoughts and read more local updates at ibwhsmag.com.
