Man dies in early-morning crash on U.S. 85

One man is dead and four injured after a crash on U.S. 85 early this morning.

According to the Colorado State Patrol, Blas Arriaga-Carbajal, a 35-year-old man from Brighton, was driving a 1998 Ford Expedition eastbound on Weld County Road 16 when he failed to stop at a stop sign where the road crosses U.S. 85.

The vehicle was hit broadside by a 2004 Cadillac Escalade that was driving northbound on the highway. The Expedition then skidded off the road and crashed into a utility pole support wire.

One of the passengers in Arriaga-Carbajal's vehicle, an unidentified man, was ejected from the left rear window and died shortly after the crash. Arriaga-Carbajal and another passenger, Placido Carbajal-Contreras, 33, of Brighton, sustained moderate injuries in the crash. They were taken to Denver Health Medical Center.

The driver of the Escalade, Jose E. Dominguez, Jr., 30, of Greeley and his passenger, Miguel Ortega, 27, of Greeley, were both wearing seat belts and sustained minor injuries. They were taken to North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley.

According to the state patrol, alcohol is suspected to be a contributor in the crash.