The Denver metro area has been rocked by two hit-and-run crashes involving pedestrians in the past 24 hours, resulting in one fatality. In Lakewood, a pedestrian was tragically struck at Kipling Street and West 23rd Avenue on Friday evening. The driver responsible for the collision fled the scene, leaving the victim to succumb to their injuries. Authorities have yet to identify either party, and the driver remains at large. A Medina Alert was issued for the suspect’s vehicle—a black 2014 Chevrolet Camaro with notable damage to the front end, a missing driver’s side headlight, and windshield damage.
In a separate incident in Denver, a pedestrian sustained serious injuries in an early morning crash near Interstate 25 and East 50th Avenue, after attempting to cross the highway. Similar to the Lakewood incident, the driver involved in this hit-and-run also fled but was later apprehended and arrested. Their identity remains unknown.
The rise in hit-and-run incidents across Colorado has been alarming, with statistics from the Colorado State Patrol revealing an increase from 2,100 to 2,253 such crashes last year compared to the previous year. Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities reached a peak last year, prompting concerns about road safety in the state. The Colorado Department of Transportation has reported a 96% surge in pedestrian deaths over the last decade, with more than 70% of these fatalities occurring in low-light conditions.
It is imperative for drivers to remain vigilant and adhere to traffic laws to prevent such tragedies from happening. The community mourns the loss of those affected by these senseless acts of reckless driving.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned to CBS News.