Officials with the Colorado Department of Transportation sent out a warning to Denver-area drivers on Thursday afternoon to avoid heading up to the high country due to a fatal crash on Interstate 70. Westbound I-70 was closed right before the Eisenhower Tunnel where the crash happened and traffic is now being turned around at Beaver Brook -- exit 247 in the foothills.  

A person and a dog were killed in the crash, which involved a semi truck and a pickup truck hauling a trailer. It happened just after 1 p.m. in the westbound lanes and a large fire with heavy smoke resulted from the collision.

The person and the dog were in the pickup truck. The person's identity has not been released. The semi driver wasn't hurt.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

 
The closure is expected to stay in place for several hours.

"Motorists are strongly encouraged to avoid travel from Denver to the high country via Interstate 70 and US Highway 285 until this evening," officials from CDOT wrote in a news release.

"Currently, motorists are unable to travel on US 40 as a detour. Those traveling from US 6 from Golden will also be turned around once they reach I-70 at this time."

Colorado State Patrol said drivers who attempt to head up to the mountains in the afternoon "can expect extreme congestion and heat."

The eastbound lanes were closed for a short time after the crash. They reopened about an hour after the crash. If you are heading eastbound, authorities said expect heavy holiday traffic.