A Denver police pursuit tied to a possible carjacking or kidnapping ended in a crash Friday morning, with a 17-year-old girl still inside the vehicle and suffering what police believe are serious injuries. The teenage male driver, also 17, and the girl were both taken to hospitals after the wreck near Highway 7 and Washington Street.
The incident began after an argument involving a larger group of teenagers, according to The Denver Post. Police received a report near the 4700 block of West First Avenue that a carjacking or kidnapping had occurred while the victim remained in the vehicle, then located the car about five minutes later.
Why Denver Police Pursued The Vehicle
Denver officers initially tried to turn and stop the car, but the driver continued onto northbound Interstate 25. Police authorized the pursuit because they believed the teenage victim was still inside, turning what might otherwise have been a vehicle-theft investigation into an active rescue situation.
The driver exited I-25 at Highway 7 and lost control shortly afterward, crashing near Washington Street. Highway 7 was closed in both directions between I-25 and Washington Street early Friday as authorities investigated the scene, The Denver Post reported.
What Remains Unclear In The Teen Pursuit
Police believe the girl did not know the driver, though investigators have not publicly explained the argument that preceded the incident or what led officers to characterize it as a possible carjacking or kidnapping. The initial account also did not say whether formal charges had been filed or whether the driver remained in custody after receiving medical treatment.
The investigation remains active, and the girl’s condition had not been publicly detailed beyond the description of serious injuries. Authorities are expected to sort out the sequence of events, the relationship between the teenagers, and the circumstances surrounding the crash as the case develops.
