7 Hurt In Double SUV Crash, Driver Being Held
DENVER (CBS4) - Seven people were sent to the hospital early Monday morning in a crash involving two SUVs in Denver.
Three people remained in the hospital Monday afternoon with two in the intensive care unit.
Witnesses said they saw a Ford Explorer speed through a red light as it headed east on Colfax Avenue at approximately 2:30 a.m. That SUV crashed into a smaller SUV that was headed southbound on Speer Boulevard.
All the occupants of the vehicles had to be taken to the hospital, but two of the three people in the smaller SUV were the ones who were described as having the serious injuries.
Detectives told CBS4 the driver of the Explorer was not among those who was seriously hurt and is now being held on suspicion of vehicular assault, which is a felony. She's been identified as a 23-year-old woman but her name has not been released.
Authorities said they were checking into whether alcohol played a role in the crash. Initially police checked into reports that street racing may have led to the crash but investigators no longer believe that to be the case even though the SUV was going nearly twice the speed limit.
"Based upon either driving under the influence or recklessness determines the level of the felony," Lt. Robert Rock with Denver police said.
Police are looking for a third vehicle that may have been involved in the incident but they are not investigating that vehicle for any criminal activity. Anyone with information is asked to call police.
Road closures were in effect for about 3 hours after the crash. The intersection reopened at approximately 5:30 a.m.
