One Dead, Four Injured After Wrong-Way Crash on I-25 in Denver Early Sunday Morning
DENVER, Colo. — A devastating two-vehicle crash on northbound Interstate 25 early Sunday morning has left one person dead and four others injured, including two in serious condition. Authorities say the collision occurred around 3 a.m. near the 20th Street exit and involved a wrong-way driver traveling at high speed.
According to the Denver Police Department, the crash involved a Dodge Caravan, whose driver was reportedly heading southbound in the northbound lanes before violently colliding with a Subaru. The force of the impact resulted in fatal injuries to the driver of the Dodge Caravan, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Their identity has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.
A passenger in the Dodge Caravan was critically injured in the crash and had to be extricated from the wreckage by emergency crews. That individual was transported to a nearby hospital, but the full extent of their injuries is currently unknown.
Inside the Subaru were three individuals, all of whom were also hospitalized. Two of the occupants sustained serious injuries, while the third was treated for less severe but still significant trauma. As of Sunday afternoon, their conditions had not been officially updated.
Wrong-Way Driver Had Prior Encounter with State Patrol
Further complicating the situation, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) confirmed that the same minivan involved in the crash had been spotted earlier that morning driving the wrong way on I-25 near Mead, approximately 40 miles north of Denver. According to a statement released by CSP, the Dodge Caravan was observed heading southbound in the northbound lanes and nearly collided head-on with a CSP patrol vehicle.
Troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop in an effort to intercept the vehicle before tragedy struck. However, the driver fled at high speed, prompting a short pursuit. That chase was quickly terminated out of concern for public safety. CSP then issued an alert to other law enforcement agencies in the area, including the Denver Police Department, providing a description of the vehicle.
Unfortunately, before any additional law enforcement units could intervene, the minivan continued into the heart of Denver where the fatal crash ultimately occurred.
Investigation Ongoing
Denver police continue to investigate the crash, including whether drugs, alcohol, or any other impairments may have contributed to the wrong-way driving. Authorities have yet to release the name or background of the deceased driver, and they are working with the coroner’s office to identify the individual and notify family members.
The collision caused a major shutdown of northbound I-25, which remained closed for several hours between the Speer Boulevard and 20th Street exits. Crews worked through the morning to clear the wreckage and conduct a thorough on-scene investigation. The highway was reopened around 9 a.m., though traffic remained sluggish through the downtown corridor for much of the morning.
Denver7 has reached out to both the Denver Police Department and Colorado State Patrol for further comment, but no additional details have been made available as of Sunday afternoon.
This tragic incident underscores the continued dangers posed by wrong-way drivers on Colorado’s highways, an issue that has become increasingly concerning in recent years. Authorities urge all drivers to remain vigilant, avoid impaired driving, and report any suspicious or hazardous behavior on the roads immediately.
More updates will be provided as new information becomes available.