A pedestrian was seriously hurt Tuesday afternoon when a driver took off after a crash at 40th Street and Harrison, according to Denver police. The victim was transported to a local hospital, and officers shut down eastbound 40th at Harrison while they picked through the scene for clues and evidence. Drivers in the area were told to brace for delays while police searched for the vehicle that left.
What Police Say
In a post on X, the Denver Police Department said the collision involved a motorist and a pedestrian and that the pedestrian suffered serious injuries. The department added that the injured person was taken to a nearby hospital and that eastbound 40th at Harrison was closed during the investigation.
Police also asked anyone with information about the vehicle that fled to call Denver Police Services at 720-913-2000. The department reminded followers that its social media accounts are not monitored around the clock, and that anyone facing an emergency should call or text 911 instead of relying on DMs or replies.
Legal Consequences For Leaving The Scene
Walking away from a crash like this is not just bad form; it can be a felony in Colorado if someone is seriously hurt. Under Colorado statute C.R.S. 42-4-1601, as published by Colorado Public Law, failing to stop after an accident that results in serious bodily injury can be charged as a class 4 felony. That level of offense can bring years in prison along with significant fines.
The statute defines “serious bodily injury” to include injuries such as broken bones, second- or third-degree burns, or any harm that creates a substantial risk of death or long-term impairment.
How You Can Help
Investigators are banking on community help to track down the driver. Police urged anyone in the area to hang on to dash-cam, doorbell, or cellphone video and to share any details they have, including license-plate numbers, vehicle descriptions, or the direction the car was heading after the crash…