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Colorado State Patrol Seeks Drivers After Highway 36 Hit-and-Run Causes Diesel Spill and Seven-Hour Closure
Description: CSP is seeking a Dodge Challenger and black Ford pickup with plate “CHILANG” after a Highway 36 hit-and-run caused a diesel spill and lengthy closure near Pecos Street.
Hit-and-Run Crash on Highway 36
The roadway is open
(DENVER, COLO) - On July 11, 2026, at approximately 7:04 a.m., the Colorado State Patrol responded to a hit-and-run crash involving a semi hauling a trailer on westbound Highway 36, just west of Pecos Street in Denver, CO. The box truck was leaking approximately 50-60 gallons of diesel fuel.
Preliminary reports indicate a Dodge Challenger, a Ford F150, and a semi hauling a trailer were traveling westbound on Highway 36 near Pecos Street. The Challenger was traveling in the HOV lane, with the F150 immediately to its right and the box truck in the next lane to the right.
The Challenger crossed two white, solid lines, moving from the HOV lane into the general purpose lanes, cutting off both the F150 and the semi. The F150 lost control, swerved to its right side, and hit the semi's left fuel tank with its front right side. The F150 then rotated, causing the bed of the pickup to go under the left side of the semi's trailer and strike the rear left side tires of the trailer with its rear right side of the bed.
The F150 was able to free itself and fled the scene. The Challenger did not stop and also fled the scene. The box truck was able to pull over to the right shoulder.
The first-run vehicle is described as an unknown Dodge Challenger. The Dodge Challenger is considered a non-contact vehicle in this crash.
The second-run vehicle is described as a black Ford pickup truck bearing Colorado vanity plate, "CHILANG," with heavy right front-end damage and damage to the right truck bed. The side of the pickup door has a sticker that says, "You can't fix stupid."
The semi stayed on scene. The driver of the semi had no reports of injury.
All westbound lanes of Highway 36, west of Pecos Street, were reopened at approximately 2:04 p.m. The roadway was closed for approximately 7 hours.
Motorists are reminded that during crash investigations or roadway closures, the HOV lane is not open to traffic unless directed by law enforcement. Drivers who disregard traffic control devices may be cited. The Colorado State Patrol has written 8 citations for disregarding a traffic control device for today's closure on Highway 36 near Pecos Street.
If you have any information, please contact the Colorado State Patrol Metro Dispatch Center at 303-239-4501 and reference case 1D262630. Please be prepared to leave your name and contact information for a return call.
