West Vail woman struck and killed on Interstate 70

Vail Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in the early morning hours Sunday on Interstate 70.

At 2:07 a.m. near mile marker 174 a 21-year-old female West Vail resident was struck by a vehicle when she stepped from the median into the slow lane of westbound traffic. The woman, identified as Starrla Feldmann, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses indicate the woman had gone outside of her residence shortly before the accident, but it remains unclear why she walked onto the highway. Investigators believe alcohol was a factor.

The driver of the vehicle, a Subaru Outback, is not suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident and has not been charged with any crime. Eagle County Coroner Kara Bettis responded to the scene and an autopsy is pending.

The Colorado Department of Transportation and the Vail Fire Department assisted with the incident. Westbound Interstate 70 was closed for approximately three hours; vehicles were detoured onto the North Frontage Road.

In December 2009, a pedestrian was killed by a vehicle while crossing Interstate 70 at approximately the same location.