A single-vehicle crash on Colorado State Highway 470 near the Ken Caryl exit turned the Tuesday morning drive into a nightmare and left a 31-year-old man dead. The collision happened at about 9:20 a.m. A second occupant was rushed to a hospital, while a toddler riding in the vehicle was reported uninjured.
Initial reports and response
Emergency dispatchers and state troopers were called to the westbound C-470 after reports of a one-vehicle crash near the Ken Caryl exit. Early accounts from local outlets suggested that multiple children were taken to area hospitals and that westbound lanes were shut down for several hours while crews worked the scene, according to coverage republished by AOL.
What investigators say
Investigators say the red Toyota SUV involved in the crash drifted to the left, went off the road, and struck a guardrail. The 31-year-old male driver was transported to a hospital, where he later died. A 30-year-old female passenger suffered injuries that were described as non-life-threatening, and the toddler in the vehicle was not hurt. The SUV was reportedly headed back to New Mexico at the time of the crash, and the Colorado State Patrol's Vehicular Crimes Unit is leading the investigation, according to the Denver Gazette.
Traffic impact
Westbound C-470 stayed closed for roughly two hours before reopening around midday, creating heavy backups near the Ken Caryl interchange. Drivers were urged to steer clear of the area and use alternate routes while investigators documented the scene and cleared the wreckage, according to initial traffic reports republished by AOL.
What’s next
The Jefferson County coroner will release the driver’s identity after notifying next of kin, and troopers have not yet publicly identified a cause of the crash. The Colorado State Patrol continues to investigate and is asking anyone with dash-cam footage or tips to contact the CSP Vehicular Crimes Unit, the Denver Gazette reports.
This story will be updated when the coroner releases the driver’s name and when the State Patrol shares additional details. If you were in the area at the time of the crash and have video or information, contact the Colorado State Patrol.
