Driver Hits, Kills Man After Escaping Lakewood Traffic Stop

LAKEWOOD, CO — A driver struck and killed a pedestrian Saturday evening in Lakewood, police said. The driver was escaping from a traffic stop when he struck the man, who was walking near W. Colfax Ave. and Benton Street., according to the Lakewood Police Department.

A police officer attempted the traffic stop around 7 p.m. on W. Colfax Avenue near Lamar Street. The driver of a silver Ford Fusion then sped off eastbound on Colfax in an attempt to escape the officer, police said.

The officer immediately ended the attempted traffic stop by shutting off the overhead emergency lights.

The driver of the Ford then struck a man who was jaywalking in the area of W. Colfax Ave and Benton St., police said.

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The vehicle continued until it crashed into a wall just west of Sheridan Blvd on W. Colfax Ave, next to 7-Eleven, according to police.

The driver then got out of the vehicle and ran southbound through the alley to an unknown location, police said.

The man is not believed to be a danger to the community, police said. There is no description of the suspect at this time.

The pedestrian was taken by West Metro Fire Department to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not been released.