Tonight: Community lantern release honors lives lost in I-25 tragedy
Mina Ramirez
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) — The Pueblo community gathered Saturday evening along the Pueblo Riverwalk to honor the five people killed in a deadly dust storm crash that injured 29 others.
Tuesday marks two weeks since the 35-vehicle crash that changed dozens of families forever.
Those killed were Karen Ann Marsh, a local hospice worker; David and Scott Kirscht, a father and son who spent years working the land as ranchers; and Thomas and Mary Sue Thayer, beloved grandparents.
Lanterns were placed along the water, each representing a name, a memory, and a life taken too soon. Coworkers, friends, family members, and first responders stood side by side, many holding back tears.
Roberta Gonzales with Sangre de Cristo Hospice, who helped organize the vigil in the last few days, said she was the kind of person who never hesitated. “She was ready to go,” Gonzales said. “She would ask, ‘What do you need? What do you want me to do?’ She was always ready to lend a hand with a smile.”
Beyond the stories shared, the evening reflected the strength of the Pueblo community. Volunteers handed out lanterns and water bottles, offering hugs to strangers as people showed up in whatever way they could.
Several family members told KRDO the vigil helped ease the weight of planning memorials. Some said they have not yet arranged funerals for their loved ones, and this community gathering allowed them to grieve together without added pressure.
As lanterns lit up the Riverwalk, the glow symbolized remembrance and a community standing together in the face of loss.