A three-car accident on U.S. Highway 550 between Ridgway and Ouray that sent three people to the hospital on July 5 was triggered by a mechanical failure of one of the vehicles, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

The accident occurred around 1 p.m. at mile marker 98 when a 1997 Jeep Cherokee, westbound on the highway, lost control due to a failure of its front wheel hubs, Trooper Josh Lewis said.

One of the hubs rolled into and damaged a southbound 2002 Ford pickup. The Jeep veered into the s...