EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. – August 26, 2025 – The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) has launched a criminal investigation after a passenger was found deceased following a multi-vehicle incident on Highway 24 Tuesday morning. Authorities say the circumstances surrounding the death are unusual and prompted immediate criminal inquiry.
According to EPSO, a call reporting a three-car accident near Judge Orr Road came in at approximately 8:10 a.m. Responding deputies discovered a passenger in a white pickup truck towing a black trailer had sustained injuries not typical of a traffic collision. Life-saving measures were attempted at the scene, but unfortunately, the passenger did not survive.
“A passenger in one of the vehicles involved, a white pickup truck towing a black trailer, appeared to be seriously injured or deceased, and life-saving measures were attempted. Unfortunately, those efforts were unsuccessful,” said Cassandra Sebastian of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
EPSO officials confirmed that the driver of the pickup truck fled the scene, and authorities are actively searching for the individual. Two nearby schools were briefly placed on lockdown as a precaution while deputies worked to secure the area. The drivers of the other two vehicles involved in the accident remained at the scene and are cooperating with investigators.
Sheriff’s Office representatives stated that at this time, they cannot determine whether the passenger’s death occurred as a result of the crash or if the injuries were sustained prior to entering the vehicle. “We are handling the criminal investigation, while the Colorado State Patrol is investigating the crash itself,” Sebastian explained.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene. Ryan Burns, an employee at Falcon Tire located across the street from the incident, said, “Then next thing you know, I just seen ambulance lights, cop cars, and I looked over and then next thing you know, there was a white vehicle all crashed and everything, and it looked pretty bad from what I’ve seen.”
EPSO emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and no further details are available regarding the suspect’s identity or motive. The sheriff’s office urges anyone with information about the incident or the driver of the white pickup truck to contact authorities immediately.
This case has left residents concerned about safety along Highway 24, a busy corridor that has seen multiple accidents in recent years. Law enforcement agencies continue to remind motorists to remain vigilant, obey traffic laws, and report suspicious activity promptly.
As the investigation continues, EPSO officials said they will provide updates as more information becomes available. Meanwhile, the Colorado State Patrol will focus on reconstructing the crash to determine the sequence of events and contributing factors.
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