Santa Clarita Girls Hockey Team in Tragic Car Accident in Colorado

Fatal Crash Involving Santa Clarita Girls Ice Hockey Team

A tragic car accident involving a girls ice hockey team from Santa Clarita occurred while the group was in Colorado, resulting in the death of the van driver and injuries to eight others. The incident was reported shortly before 9 a.m. local time on Interstate 70 in Clear Creek County.

According to the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office, the Sprinter van, which was carrying ten people, collided with a Colorado Department of Transportation snow plow. Among the passengers were three players from the Santa Clarita Lady Flyers, a youth team composed of athletes aged 12 and under.

The driver, who died at the scene, was identified as the father of one of the players. Prescott Littlefield, president of the Santa Clarita Flyers, expressed his shock, stating, "This is the kind of thing you hear about on the news, but it’s never someone you know or people you know. It just completely knocked me back, knocked the wind out of me."

Eight individuals—five youths and three adults—were subsequently hospitalized. While their conditions remain unclear, the sheriff’s department confirmed that they are all affiliated with the California hockey team. Littlefield noted that families and friends of the Lady Flyers are providing support during this challenging time, emphasizing, "The whole hockey community is really rallying around these girls and what they and their family are going through."

Additionally, two other vehicles were involved in the accident on the snowy interstate just west of Denver. Weather conditions played a significant role, as images from the crash site revealed the road was covered in snow and mud. Local forecasts indicated that Clear Creek County experienced snow showers and subzero temperatures, leading emergency officials to advise against travel in the area.

The Santa Clarita Flyers youth hockey organization, founded in 2000, operates out of The Cube Ice and Entertainment Center in Valencia.