Photos: RTD bus accident kills car's driver at Mississippi and Platte River

In most cases, crashes involving RTD buses take place during busy commuting hours. But that's not the case with an accident that happened near the intersection of Mississippi and Platte River Drive. A bus struck a passenger vehicle during the wee hours, when traffic is typically very light. And the...

By Michael Roberts

February 25, 2014

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In most cases, crashes involving RTD buses take place during busy commuting hours. But that's not the case with an accident that happened near the intersection of Mississippi and Platte River Drive.

A bus struck a passenger vehicle during the wee hours, when traffic is typically very light.

And the results are tragic: The driver of the car was killed by the impact.

This is what we know so far.

Here's the first tweet from the Denver Police Department. The time stamp is 2:13 a.m.

#TRAFFIC: #DPD on scene of a fatal accident @ Mississippi and Platte River Dr, Bus vs. Veh. Not Hit & Run. WB Mississippi SB Platte closed.
— Denver Police Dept (@DenverPolice) February 25, 2014

Not long thereafter, reporters with local media operations were on the scene, including Noel Brennan of 9News. Here's one of the photos he tweeted....

Fatal accident at Mississippi and Platte River Dr. Denver Police say bus and another vehicle involved #9newsmornings pic.twitter.com/g25u87NHTU
— Noel Brennan (@Noeltbrennan) February 25, 2014

...as well as a second, accompanied by a particularly gruesome factoid.

Accident involving car and RTD bus has shut down Platte River Dr. @ Miss. Body still in driver's seat of car pic.twitter.com/KveuBmkd0x
— Noel Brennan (@Noeltbrennan) February 25, 2014

In addition, a CBS4 rep shared this photo of the other vehicle involved, and the terrible damage it sustained:

MT @eddiecastro55 Pontiac inv. in fatal accident w/RTD bus being towed. Platte River Dr. expected to open soon #CBS4 pic.twitter.com/gVonKGMFmI
— CBSDenver (@CBSDenver) February 25, 2014

The bus driver was not injured in the crash, and no passengers were on board, since the bus was bound for RTD's transportation center at the time. An RTD representative at the site has reportedly confirmed that the driver will undergo drug and alcohol testing -- standard procedure in incidents like these.

At this point, there's no information to indicate who was responsible for the accident. Expect a detailed investigation, particularly given the sad results. In the meantime, the DPD has just confirmed that the intersection is open once again.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

More from our News archive circa April 2010: "Marvin Webb dies in third RTD accident in four days."

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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