JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — One person died in a three-vehicle crash off Highway 285 at Colorado State Highway 8 Monday morning, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) preliminary investigation confirmed the driver of an Acura IRL was driving southbound on northbound Highway 285 when it hit a vehicle, causing it to spin out of control and hit a second vehicle with two people inside.
Denver7's Traffic Expert Jayson Luber observed firefighters working to get people out of two vehicles on northbound Highway 285 after the crash happened around 5:19 a.m. Luber saw first responders pull one person from a car and get that victim into an ambulance.
Four people in total were transported to nearby hospitals, according to West Metro Fire Rescue. Three were in critical condition, West Metro Fire Rescue said. The driver of the first car that was hit was taken to a local hospital by ambulance as a precaution.
The driver of the Acura IRL was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to CSP. The man and woman in the second car hit were also take into the hospital. That man was later pronounced dead.
Looks like fire fighters are still working at both vehicles to get people out. NB 285 west of 470. pic.twitter.com/JEmqiudvod
— Jayson Luber (@Denver7Traffic) July 21, 2025
The stretch of road will remain shut down through the rest of the morning for the crash investigation, the sheriff's office said. There's no estimated time of reopening, as of 8:29 a.m. Monday. Drivers are being diverted onto Highway 8 past The Fort restaurant.
Sheriff's deputies recommend drivers find an alternate route.
Luber advised drivers can take Highway 8 all the way to Morrison and then back to C-470. Or they could take a right turn just after The Fort restaurant on S. Turkey Creek Road, take it under U.S. Route 285 and wind your way to W. Quincy Ave. and C-470.
The stretch of highway reopened in both directions, as of 11:16 a.m., according to CSP.
Staet patrol is leading the investigation into what happened. Anyone who witnessed the crash and has not spoken to investigators is asked to call CSP Patrol Dispatch at 303-239-4501.
