A driver was killed early Thursday in a single-vehicle crash at 56th Avenue and Peña Boulevard in northeast Denver, a busy gateway route for Denver International Airport. Police shut down lanes while investigators worked the scene, causing backups on the inbound Peña approach to DIA.
Police Confirm One Person Dead, No Other Injuries
According to the Denver Police Department, officers responded to a crash involving a single motorist at the intersection. The department reported that one person was pronounced dead at the scene and that no other injuries were found. Investigators remained on site to document evidence, and drivers were told to expect delays around 56th and Peña while the investigation continued.
Busy Airport Connector Under Long-Planned Review
The intersection of 56th Avenue and Peña Boulevard serves as a major connector to the airport, and traffic there often backs up during peak travel times. The City of Denver has long discussed upgrades to widen 56th Avenue and add multimodal safety improvements to ease congestion and reduce crashes, according to Denver7.
What Police Are Releasing So Far
For emergencies, callers are directed to use 911. For non-emergency assistance, the City of Denver lists the Denver Police Department’s non-emergency line as 720-913-2000, and media outlets can reach DPD’s media relations team through the same city directory. Police have not yet released the identity of the person who died and say the investigation remains active. Officials stated that additional information will be shared when it is ready for release.
