On Monday afternoon, a tragic and deadly incident unfolded on Highway 83 in Douglas County, Colorado, when a stolen Toyota hatchback collided with a Ford sedan, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including three children. The collision occurred just before 4:40 p.m. near milepost 40.5, according to the Colorado State Patrol. The Toyota was being driven by a 31-year-old Denver man, who was reported to have lost control of the vehicle and went off the right shoulder before over-correcting and rolling into the northbound lane.
As a result of this over-correction, the stolen Toyota struck the Ford sedan head-on, killing the driver and causing critical injuries to several others. The Ford was carrying a 35-year-old Colorado Springs man and five children from the same city, including a 13-year-old girl, an 8-year-old boy, a 12-year-old girl, a 12-year-old boy, and a 14-year-old boy. The 35-year-old man and two of the children were pronounced dead at the scene, while the 13-year-old girl and the 14-year-old boy were airlifted to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The incident has raised significant concerns about road safety and the potential dangers of stolen vehicles. The Colorado State Patrol’s Vehicular Crimes Unit is investigating the cause of the collision, with authorities indicating that the reasons behind the Toyota’s loss of control are still unclear. The stolen Toyota was reported to the Aurora Police Department approximately an hour before the crash, which highlights the need for more robust systems to track and recover stolen vehicles.
Residents in the area are expressing their shock and sorrow over the tragic loss of life, with many calling for increased measures to prevent such incidents. The emotional impact of this crash extends deeply into the community, leaving families and friends in mourning. As the investigation proceeds, authorities are expected to provide further details on the circumstances surrounding the tragic event, which serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of road safety and the potential consequences of reckless driving.