A Monday morning commute along Denver's A Line turned deadly when a pedestrian was struck and killed by an RTD commuter train near Smith Road and Dahlia Street, shutting down the busy rail corridor and clogging nearby streets as investigators moved in.
Denver police said the crash was reported at about 10:32 a.m., and the nearby intersection was shut down "until further notice" while detectives examined the scene and gathered evidence, according to Denver7. Officers and emergency crews remained on site for hours as trains were halted and traffic was diverted.
Drivers in the area were urged to steer clear of Smith Road and Dahlia Street and to use alternate routes while the investigation unfolded, a request that quickly turned into a practical necessity as the closure squeezed already tight late-morning traffic.
A Line Has Faced Similar Shutdowns Before
The A Line is no stranger to serious disruptions tied to collisions. In January 2025, a crash near Smith Road and Quebec Street left a pedestrian dead and prompted another full shutdown of part of the route, as reported by The Denver Gazette. A 2023 incident also forced a lengthy closure and detours along the corridor, according to CPR.
Each of those crashes shut down train traffic, scrambled bus bridges, and spilled over into surrounding neighborhoods, a pattern that played out again Monday as officials halted rail service and scrambled to keep commuters moving.
Service Impacts and Rider Advice
RTD reported that shuttle buses were pressed into service to cover the A Line while police and investigators worked the scene, with impacts stretching across key stops including Union Station, 38th / Blake Station, 40th / Colorado Station, and Central Park Station, according to Denver7. Riders were warned to expect delays and to build extra time into their trips or seek alternate transportation where possible.
Denver police say the investigation remains active and have not yet released details about the person who was killed. Commuters are urged to monitor RTD Service Alerts or the agency's NextRide app for real-time updates as officials work to restore normal service.
This story will be updated as authorities release additional information about the crash and the victim.
