[05-20-25] 3 Pedestrians Killed in Separate Denver Crashes Sunday Morning

DENVER (KDVR) — Three pedestrians have been killed in three separate crashes in Denver Sunday morning, according to the Denver Police Department.

Two of the crashes were hit-and-runs, and one person has been arrested for one of the crashes as of Sunday afternoon.

Speaking to FOX31’s Alliyah Sims, Denver police spokesperson Doug Schepman said there has been a rising trend of deadly crashes involving pedestrians

“It’s very uncommon to see so many fatal traffic crashes especially involving pedestrians but of any modality in such a short period of time so it’s concerning and it’s a reminder that things can happen very quickly and turn tragic very quickly on our roads,” Schepman said. “We’re up a little bit compared to the same time last year.”

The first crash happened at Colfax Avenue and Speer Boulevard, police reported on X just before 4 a.m. This is near the route of the Colfax Marathon but happened several hours before the race.

That crash was a hit-and-run, and police in a 12:49 p.m. update said they found the suspect vehicle a short distance away abandoned. The suspected driver, Jose Hernandez, was arrested for investigation into vehicular homicide, and the Denver district Attorney’s Office will decide official charges.

The second crash, which was also a hit-and-run, happened near 23rd Avenue and Interstate 25, police reported just around 30 minutes later. Several lanes of Interstate 25 were closed at the time.

Police have not announced an arrest in this crash.

“It’s troubling that you would have a crash where a motorist strikes a pedestrian and doesn’t stop to render aid as they are required to by law and provide their information to investigators,” Schepman said. “So, that does lead to increased consequences for those drivers and so we want folks to know if you’re in a crash, whether it’s minor by nature or whether it involves a fatality you’re required by law to stay on scene, and we encourage you to do so.”

The third crash was reported at around 7:45 a.m. near Interstate 70 westbound and Federal Boulevard. A police spokesperson told FOX31 this crash was not a hit-and-run crash as the driver stayed at the scene.

Westbound I-70 was shut down for several hours Sunday morning but has reopened.

Schepman said prevention is key to getting the deadly crash numbers down. Both drivers and pedestrians should be aware when out and about.

“Traffic safety is a shared responsibility,” he said. “If I’m walking across the streets, it’s my obligation to make sure I’m crossing with a signal or crossing in a safe manner. If I’m behind the wheel it’s my obligation not speed, to be aware, to not have distractions so that I’m not putting other people at risk. So, that’s the main message here.”

Source : Fox 31

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If you or a loved one were involved in or affected by this accident and would like the incident’s official Police Report, our Denver Personal Injury Lawyers might be able to help.

DENVER PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT STATISTICS

Pedestrian crashes remain a serious safety problem across the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,080 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes nationwide in 2024. More than 71,000 pedestrians were also injured.

The problem is significant in Colorado as well. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, 120 pedestrians were killed on Colorado roads in 2024. Denver recorded 18 pedestrian fatalities that year, the second-highest total among Colorado counties.

Visibility is an important factor in many pedestrian crashes. CDOT reports that 78 pedestrian fatalities in Colorado occurred when it was dark in 2024, representing 65% of all pedestrian deaths that year.

The longer-term trend also remains concerning. In 2025, the state of Colorado recorded 127 pedestrian fatalities. Between 2020 and 2025, Denver County alone recorded 140 pedestrian deaths, more than any other state county during that period.

Pedestrians have little physical protection when struck by a motor vehicle. Even a collision at a relatively low speed can cause traumatic brain injuries, fractures, spinal injuries, internal injuries, or other life-changing harm.

Common factors that can contribute to pedestrian crashes include:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Impaired driving
  • Failure to yield
  • Unsafe turns
  • Poor visibility
  • Failure to obey traffic signals
  • Drivers failing to watch for pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks

If you or someone you love has been injured while walking, a Denver pedestrian accident attorney can investigate what happened and help determine who may be responsible.

DENVER PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS FOR VICTIMS OF MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS

Our Denver personal injury attorneys represent pedestrians injured by negligent drivers throughout Denver and surrounding Colorado communities. Pedestrian accidents can result in extensive medical care, time away from work, long-term rehabilitation, and permanent injuries.

Our Denver pedestrian accident attorneys can investigate the collision, obtain crash evidence, communicate with insurance companies, and help document the full impact of the injuries. This may include current medical expenses, anticipated future treatment, lost income, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses.

When a pedestrian accident results in the loss of a loved one, eligible family members may also be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death case can help families seek accountability and recover damages available under Colorado law.

Denver Personal Injury Lawyers® has received recognition for its personal injury work in Colorado. In 2026, President Sean McQuaid was named to the ColoradoBiz Colorado 500 Power List. The firm has also received recent recognition from Westword and ColoradoBiz® for its work representing injured people.

Our attorneys work to take the legal and insurance burden off injured clients while they concentrate on treatment and recovery. There is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.

Call Denver Personal Injury Lawyers® at (720) 500-HURT or schedule a free consultation to discuss your pedestrian accident case with an attorney.

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