On May 23, traffic on Highway 119 came to a halt in both directions at Lump Gulch after a forklift rolled off a trailer while navigating a tight curve. The incident occurred around 11:22 a.m., prompting a swift response from local authorities and the community.

Jeramy Meyers of Meyers Services was among the first on the scene, working diligently to remove the machinery from the roadway. Despite being competitors, Meyers and Earthworks, another excavation company, joined forces, volunteering their time and resources to assist local law enforcement in clearing the obstruction.

“We just came to help a company in need,” said Meyers. “There were actually three excavating companies there, and even though we are all in competition with each other, it did not matter.” Meyers was referring to High Performance Excavating (hauling the trailer that rolled over), Earthworks, and his own team, who collaboratively worked on the extrication.

According to Meyers, the accident was not due to recklessness; rather, the chains securing the forklift to the trailer broke, causing it to roll onto the highway on its side. Meyers was called to assist because of his large front-end loader, a crucial tool in the safe removal of the forklift.

Timberline Volunteer Fire Department played a vital role in the operation, with firefighter Alex Hinojosa reporting no injuries. Timberline also managed traffic, ensuring the safety of all involved.

The Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office provided an official report to The Mountain-Ear. At 11:22 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office dispatch received a call about the incident involving a flatbed trailer transporting a forklift on Highway 119 at Lump Gulch Road.

A Gilpin deputy arrived at the scene at 11:36 a.m. to find the forklift upside down on the shoulder of the highway. It appeared that as the vehicle navigated a left curve, the trailer and its load turned over to the right, though the pickup truck remained upright.

The Colorado State Patrol was notified but declined to respond, advising the driver to file a counter-report instead. Timberline Fire was alerted to a hydraulic fluid leak from the forklift and promptly responded to mitigate the spill. The highway was closed for approximately 30 minutes during the cleanup operation. The Gilpin deputy assisted with traffic control until the scene was clear and the forklift was removed by its owner.

Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office, Timberline Fire Department, and local excavation companies, the roadway was cleared and safe for travel in under an hour. This incident highlights the strong sense of community and cooperation among local businesses and emergency responders in Gilpin County.