A weekend ride in southeast Denver turned ugly on Saturday when a driver hit a bicyclist at Leetsdale Drive and South Holly Street, then took off, leaving the rider with serious injuries and a lot of unanswered questions.
Witnesses told officers they saw a dark-colored sport-utility vehicle, possibly a Nissan Rogue, pull away from the scene with noticeable damage to the front driver's side hood. Denver Police have opened case number 26-363677 and say investigators are canvassing the neighborhood and checking for any security or traffic camera footage that might have caught the SUV or its driver.
What police say happened
In a post on X, the Denver Police Department said the crash happened Saturday and confirmed that the bicyclist suffered serious bodily injury. Officers described the suspect vehicle as a dark-colored SUV, possibly a Nissan Rogue, and said the driver left without providing the information required by law.
Detectives logged the case as 26-363677 and are asking anyone who saw the crash, the SUV, or any suspicious damage or repair work in the area to get in touch.
How to share a tip and possibly get paid
Metro Denver Crime Stoppers says tipsters can remain completely anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000. Tips can be called in at 720-913-STOP (7867) or submitted through the group's online form.
The tip line runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and Crime Stoppers forwards anonymous leads to investigators for follow-up. Even small details, such as a repair bill, a dashcam clip, or part of a license plate, can help move an investigation forward and may qualify a tip for a reward.
What the driver could be facing
Colorado law requires any driver involved in a crash that causes injury, serious bodily injury, or death to stop, provide aid when possible, and exchange information. Leaving instead can be prosecuted under Colorado Revised Statutes section 42-4-1601, as published by Colorado Public Law.
When serious bodily injury is involved, the offense can be charged as a felony and can lead to license suspension and other penalties, depending on the specifics of the case.
Why this stretch of Leetsdale keeps coming up
Leetsdale Drive is a busy east-west corridor that city planners have flagged for years as needing bike and pedestrian safety upgrades. Planning documents like the Denver.gov Go Speer–Leetsdale study and Denver Moves: Bikes identify the corridor for future intersection changes and bikeway improvements.
Advocates point to upgrades such as protected bike lanes, adjusted signal timing, and redesigned crossings as tools that could help reduce conflicts between drivers and cyclists on routes like this one.
Anyone with information about the crash or the suspect vehicle is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867) or submit an anonymous tip online, referencing case number 26-363677 if possible. Investigators say even small pieces of evidence, such as a brief video clip, a description of fresh front-end damage, or a recent repair timeline, could be crucial to solving the case.
