Available 
COLORADO SPRINGS, El Paso County, CO, Sept. 20, 2026 — Two people were hospitalized Saturday, September 19, after authorities say a driver struck a parked car and then hit them while fleeing the scene in Colorado Springs, Colo. The crash happened in the 1200 block of North Chelton Road near Unitah Street.
According to the Colorado Springs Police Department, officers responded after 911 calls reported a hit-and-run crash in that area. Police said a vehicle had collided with a parked car, and when the parked car's owners approached to confront the driver, the driver took off. In leaving the scene, the driver reportedly struck two people.
Both people who were hit were taken to a hospital, police said. Their conditions and the extent of their injuries have not been released.
The vehicle and driver involved have not been identified. Police are continuing to investigate.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
When Are Hit-And-Run Crashes Likely to Happen?
The conditions that result in a hit-and-run crash are the same that make any crash more likely to escalate into a chase: darkness, weekend nights, and stretches of road with less traffic to witness what happened. A driver who has been drinking, is unlicensed, or is otherwise worried about consequences may be more likely to flee when there are fewer people around and less immediate accountability.
Evenings and weekend nights also bring more impaired and fatigued drivers onto the road at once, which raises the odds of a crash in the first place. Confrontations after a crash, like a car owner approaching a driver who just hit their parked vehicle, can also happen in these lower-visibility, lower-traffic settings, giving a driver more opportunity to leave before police arrive.
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, hit-and-run crashes accounted for 7 percent of all traffic fatalities when deaths reached 2,972 in 2022. That share reflects both when these crashes occur and how drivers choose to flee rather than stay at the scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does speed make a crash more dangerous?
Yes. Higher speeds increase the force of impact and reduce the time a driver has to react or stop, which generally leads to more serious injuries.
Why is distracted driving so risky?
Even a few seconds of looking away from the road, such as at a phone, can mean missing a pedestrian, a stopped car, or a change in traffic that a driver would otherwise have time to avoid.
How do weather and road conditions play a role?
Rain, snow, ice, and poor lighting all reduce traction and visibility, making it harder for drivers to stop in time or see people and vehicles in their path.
What should someone do right after a car accident?
Move to safety if possible, call 911, and get contact and insurance information from anyone else involved. Photograph the scene and vehicles, and seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor.
What to Do After a Hit-And-Run Crash in Colorado Springs, CO
If you are hit by a driver who flees the scene, try to get a description of the vehicle, its color, make, or license plate, if it's safe to do so. Call 911 right away and stay where you are until officers or medics arrive. Even injuries that feel minor at first can turn out to be more serious, so it's worth getting checked at a hospital or urgent care.
Ask responding officers for a copy of the police report and the case number, and hold onto any photos or notes from the scene. If you saw the vehicle or driver, or have surveillance footage from a nearby home or business, sharing that with the Colorado Springs Police Department can help their investigation move forward.
