WHEAT RIDGE, CO — Police in Wheat Ridge are investigating a deadly crash involving a pickup truck and a semi-truck that happened west of Denver on Friday evening. One person was killed, while the semi driver was not hurt.

Investigators say the pickup crossed into the opposite lane before the collision. The crash happened near W. 44th Avenue and Eldridge Street at about 6:55 p.m., prompting a response from local authorities and a temporary road closure while crews worked the scene.

Pickup crossed into the opposite lane, police say

The Wheat Ridge Police Department says its preliminary findings point to the pickup truck moving into oncoming traffic before impact. That movement is now a key part of the inquiry as officers try to piece together exactly what happened in the moments before the crash.

Police have not released the identity of the person who died. They said the driver of the pickup was taken to a nearby hospital after the wreck, where that person was later pronounced dead.

The semi-truck driver was not injured, according to police. No other injuries were reported in the crash.

Open containers found in the pickup after the wreck

Investigators said they found open containers inside the pickup truck, and they believe impaired driving may have played a role in the collision. Police have not said whether any chemical testing or charges are pending.

The possible DUI element is part of the active investigation, but officers have not released further details about what may have led to the pickup crossing the center line. At this stage, police are still treating the case as an unfolding traffic fatality investigation.

Authorities have not said how fast either vehicle was traveling or whether weather, road conditions, or other drivers contributed to the crash.

Traffic was blocked while investigators examined the scene

Part of the area around the crash site was shut down while police and other responders examined the roadway and documented evidence. The closure affected traffic near the intersection as the investigation continued into the night.

By around midnight, the road had reopened to drivers. Police did not say how long the shutdown lasted beyond that estimate, but the temporary closure allowed investigators to process the scene and clear the wreckage.

Crashes like this often require a detailed reconstruction effort, especially when a fatality and possible impairment are involved. Officers have not announced a timeline for the completion of the investigation.

A deadly evening collision near W. 44th Avenue and Eldridge Street

The crash happened in a busy stretch of Wheat Ridge near the intersection of W. 44th Avenue and Eldridge Street. That area sits west of downtown Denver and carries regular local traffic, making a serious collision there disruptive for nearby drivers and residents.

Friday’s wreck took place shortly before 7 p.m., a time when evening traffic can be heavier and visibility may begin to fade. Police have not released additional information about the vehicles beyond identifying one as a pickup truck and the other as a semi-truck.

Because the investigation is still active, police have not provided a final finding on the cause of death beyond saying the pickup driver died after being hospitalized.

What police have confirmed so far

As of now, police have confirmed five main points: the crash involved a pickup and a semi, it happened Friday evening in Wheat Ridge, one person died, the semi driver was unhurt, and investigators suspect alcohol may have been involved.

Beyond that, authorities have kept many details private while they continue the investigation. They have not identified the victim, and they have not said whether the pickup driver was the only occupant of that vehicle.

The case remains under review by Wheat Ridge police, who are expected to determine whether the preliminary evidence supports an impaired-driving finding and what, if any, enforcement action may follow.

Why the crash is drawing attention west of Denver

Fatal crashes involving large commercial trucks often bring added concern because of the force involved and the complicated evidence that investigators must sort through. In this case, the fact that a semi driver was not hurt does not lessen the seriousness of the impact for the person in the pickup, who died after being taken to the hospital.

Police have not released a broader warning or public-safety advisory connected to the crash, but the investigation underscores the risks of crossing into opposing traffic. The presence of open containers also gives detectives a possible lead as they work to determine whether impairment was a factor.

For now, the case is being handled as a fatal traffic investigation with possible DUI implications, and officials are still gathering the facts.