Two Texas men die in tragic ATV crash in Colorado

In southwestern Colorado, an off-road vehicle accident occurred on August 3, 2026, resulting in the deaths of two men from Texas. The incident took place in Arrastra Gulch, approximately two miles east of Silverton, where the vehicle rolled off a mountain road and down a steep embankment. The vehicle, identified as a side-by-side or utility terrain vehicle (UTV), was carrying two married couples when it left the road. The two men in the front seats, Thaddeus Hanich, 61, from Comfort, Texas, and James Stout, 70, from Center Point, Texas, were pronounced dead at the scene. The two women seated behind them survived the crash but sustained injuries. One woman was airlifted to Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, while the other was transported by ground ambulance to the same facility. The Silverton Medical Rescue team utilized a technical rope system to safely retrieve the survivors from the crash site. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation, and no further details have been released regarding the circumstances leading to the vehicle leaving the road. This tragic event highlights the dangers associated with off-road vehicle use, particularly in mountainous regions where terrain can be unpredictable. The community is mourning the loss of the two men, and their families are left to cope with the aftermath of this devastating incident. As investigations continue, authorities are expected to provide more information regarding the factors that contributed to the crash, which has raised concerns about safety measures for off-road vehicles in such challenging environments.