State troopers are trying to track down a driver who allegedly walked away from a wreck on westbound Interstate 70 near Idaho Springs, took a dog with him, and left a passenger behind with serious injuries. Investigators say the vehicle went off the right side of the highway and struck a rock wall in the westbound lanes, where first responders found a 41-year-old woman suffering serious injuries. According to troopers, the driver then fled the scene on foot.
Troopers with the Colorado State Patrol say the crash happened Friday evening on westbound I-70 past Idaho Springs and before North Spring Gulch Road, according to CBS Colorado. The outlet reports the car hit a rock wall after drifting off the right edge of the interstate, and emergency crews found the injured passenger inside the vehicle. Troopers told the station the driver allegedly left the scene with a medium-to-large dog described as blue and gray in color.
Troopers looking for a suspect
“Troopers from Colorado State Patrol are looking for a driver,” CBS Colorado reports, citing the agency. The troopers described the suspect as a white man, about 5-foot-6, with blonde hair, hazel eyes, and facial hair. Authorities have not released the injured woman’s name or provided an updated condition as the investigation continues.
Where this happened and why it matters
The crash occurred on a heavily traveled stretch of I-70 that handles both mountain commuters and weekend traffic, an area where shifting weather and narrow shoulders can quickly make any incident more dangerous. The Colorado Department of Transportation maintains travel alerts and camera feeds for the I-70 Mountain Corridor so drivers can check conditions before heading into the high country, via CDOT. Drivers should expect delays while emergency crews and troopers work in the westbound lanes and should follow posted signs and instructions.
How to help
Anyone with information about the crash or the driver is asked to contact the Colorado State Patrol, or share tips with the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s page lists non-emergency and tip-line options on its website at the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office. For immediate threats or to report a crime in progress, call 911…