Driver of Dodge Caravan Fatally Injured, With Passenger and Three Subaru Occupants Hurt—Two Seriously—After Fiery Wrong-Way Collision on I-25 Near 20th Street Exit in Denver Early Sunday Morning

Denver, Colorado —
In the early morning hours of Sunday, a devastating wrong-way crash on Interstate 25 in downtown Denver left one individual fatally injured and four others hospitalized, two of whom remain in serious condition. The tragic two-vehicle collision occurred shortly after 3 a.m., just north of the 20th Street exit, and involved a Dodge Caravan driving the wrong direction at a high rate of speed.

According to the Denver Police Department and eyewitness reports, the incident began when a Dodge Caravan, traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of I-25, violently collided head-on with a Subaru carrying three occupants. The impact of the collision was catastrophic. The driver of the Dodge Caravan, whose identity has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene by responding emergency personnel.

Inside the Dodge Caravan was one passenger, also currently unnamed, who sustained critical injuries. Denver Fire Department personnel were forced to use hydraulic rescue tools to extricate the trapped individual from the severely mangled vehicle. The passenger was subsequently transported to a local trauma center with life-threatening injuries.

The occupants of the Subaru—a group consisting of three individuals whose identities have not yet been publicly confirmed—also sustained varying degrees of injury in the crash. Two of the Subaru passengers are reported to be in serious condition, while the third was treated for moderate injuries. All were promptly taken by ambulance to nearby medical facilities.

Emergency crews, including paramedics, Denver Police officers, and fire rescue teams, arrived at the chaotic scene within minutes of receiving the 911 call. Witnesses described the aftermath as “horrific,” with twisted metal, debris scattered across all lanes, and smoke billowing from both vehicles. Some bystanders attempted to assist the injured before first responders arrived, but the extensive damage made access to the vehicle occupants extremely difficult.

Interstate 25’s northbound lanes were immediately shut down at the 20th Street exit to allow for rescue operations, accident investigation, and eventual cleanup of the crash site. The closure lasted for several hours, causing significant traffic disruptions through the morning commute.

Denver Police’s Traffic Investigations Unit is currently leading a detailed inquiry into the circumstances of the crash. Investigators are working to determine whether factors such as alcohol, drugs, fatigue, or a medical emergency played a role in the wrong-way driver’s actions. Authorities have not yet released toxicology reports or details on whether the wrong-way driver had a known history of impaired driving, medical conditions, or mental health concerns.

Preliminary analysis suggests the Dodge Caravan entered I-25 from an off-ramp or intersection, likely mistaking it for a legitimate on-ramp in the pre-dawn darkness. Officers are reviewing surveillance footage from highway cameras and nearby traffic intersections to establish the vehicle’s route before the crash. Witness statements indicate the Caravan was traveling at a dangerously high speed—estimates range between 70 to 90 miles per hour—before colliding head-on with the Subaru.

One of the responding officers described the scene as “one of the most destructive single collisions” he had seen in over a decade. The force of the impact reportedly ejected parts of the engine blocks from both vehicles onto adjacent lanes, and some airbags were deployed with such violence that dashboard panels were shattered. The Subaru’s roof had to be cut open to safely remove its injured occupants.

The Denver Medical Examiner’s Office has taken custody of the deceased individual’s body for formal identification and autopsy. As of late Sunday evening, they had not released a name, pending family notification.

This tragic event marks yet another addition to the growing number of wrong-way crashes that have plagued Colorado’s highways in recent years. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), wrong-way crashes, while statistically rare, are disproportionately fatal due to their head-on nature and high velocity. CDOT has been working with local law enforcement agencies and highway planners to implement improved signage, road surface markings, and other preventative measures to reduce such incidents.

In a statement to the press, Denver Police Chief Ron Thomas extended condolences to the families of those affected, stating:

“This is a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be altered or lost on our roadways. We urge every driver to remain vigilant, sober, and alert at all times. One wrong turn can have devastating consequences.”

Advocates for road safety have called once again for the accelerated rollout of wrong-way detection technology along Colorado’s most heavily trafficked corridors. Some cities have begun installing sensors and alerts that can detect wrong-way entry and flash warnings to the driver and alert nearby law enforcement within seconds. However, implementation remains spotty across Denver.

Mental health advocates have also pointed out the possible role of psychological distress or impairment in such wrong-way incidents and have called for increased public education and services related to behavioral health for drivers at risk.

As for the families of those hospitalized, privacy is being closely guarded by hospital staff. However, friends and extended relatives have begun posting to social media, asking for prayers and support. One family friend wrote:

“We are just praying they pull through. No one expects a call like this at 3 in the morning.”

Authorities are expected to release further information regarding the crash, including toxicology results, identities of those involved, and the exact sequence of events, in the coming days. The community is urged to remain patient and respect the privacy of the affected families as investigations continue.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has video footage—such as from a dashcam or nearby security system—is encouraged to contact Denver Police’s Traffic Investigations Unit at (720) 337-1000.

Summary of Known Facts:

• Time of crash: Approximately 3:00 a.m., Sunday morning
• Location: Northbound lanes of Interstate 25 near 20th Street exit in Denver
• Vehicles involved: Dodge Caravan (traveling wrong-way, southbound in northbound lanes), Subaru with three occupants
• Fatalities: One (driver of Dodge Caravan, name not yet released)
• Injuries: Four (one critically injured passenger from Dodge Caravan; two seriously injured and one moderately injured in Subaru)
• Cause under investigation: Possible wrong-way entry, speed, impairment, or medical condition

Denver Police continue to investigate the fatal collision and plan to release more details as the inquiry progresses. In the meantime, this tragedy stands as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by wrong-way drivers and the urgent need for preventative infrastructure, public awareness, and strict adherence to safe driving practices.