Fleeing the scene after an accident is illegal in Colorado, but the number of hit-and-run accidents has increased in recent years. As of Monday, September 23rd, there had been 4961 hit-and-runs reported in Denver in 2019. That’s over 18 hit and runs every day!
Among neighborhoods in the Denver Metro area, New Stapleton has the most hit-and-run accidents this year with 274. One recent hit-and-run crash happened on Saturday morning, September 14th, at the intersection of East 12th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.
A young couple was making a left turn when a Lincoln sedan, heading from the opposite direction, hit them at high speed. The young woman died in the crash, and her husband was seriously injured. The Lincoln driver fled the scene on foot, leaving two other passengers injured in the vehicle.
Hit and Run Statistics by States
According to a 2018 study by AAA, fatal hit-and-run accidents are sky rocketing across the US. There was an astonishing 62% increase between 2009 and 2016 with 65% of the victims being pedestrians or cyclists.
New Mexico had the highest fatality rate in hit-and-run crashes from 2010 to 2016, followed by Louisiana and Florida. Colorado was #23 on the list.
Hit and Run Consequences
Being in a hit-and-run accident is one of the worst events any driver can experience. Many victims of hit-and-run accidents are left to deal with severe injuries, not to mention complex consequences with insurance and the police. No one wants to be involved in a car accident, but leaving the scene can significantly increase the penalties, no matter whether the driver who fled caused the crash or not.
With the information from the two Lincoln passengers, the Denver police identified 26-year-old Jordan Hale as the driver who fled the scene. Hale has been arrested and faces charges, including leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury, and leaving the scene of a crash involving death. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The victim family has started a crowd-funding on GoFundMe to help with their expenses.
Contact a Hit-and-Run Victim Attorney at Franklin D. Azar & Associates
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or financial loss as a result of a hit-and-run accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Over the past 30 years, Franklin D. Azar & Associates has represented victims in some of the most complicated and serious personal injury and wrongful death cases arising from hit-and-run accidents.
Our proven track record and expertise have allowed us to grow into the largest personal-injury law firm in Colorado, with offices in Denver, Greenwood Village, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo. If you’ve been injured in a bus, car, truck, or motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Call us at 1-303-Hurtline or contact us here for a free consultation and no-obligation evaluation of your case.
