DENVER, Colorado — A pedestrian crash near the Auraria Campus has claimed the life of an 18-year-old Metropolitan State University of Denver student, and the driver involved has been cited in connection with the fatal collision.
Denver police identified the driver as 24-year-old Conner Hinkle. Authorities said Hinkle was cited for careless driving resulting in death after the pedestrian, later identified as freshman Marco Antonio Bautista Delgado, died from his injuries.
The crash happened around 11:55 a.m. Wednesday, November 11, near 9th Street and Auraria Parkway in Denver. Police officers were sent to the intersection after receiving reports of a vehicle striking a pedestrian.
The male pedestrian suffered serious injuries in the collision. Emergency responders took him to a hospital, where he later died despite receiving medical attention.
MSU Denver confirmed on Friday that the person killed was Bautista Delgado, an 18-year-old student in his first year at the university. He was pursuing a degree in computer science.
His death has brought grief to the university community, where students and staff are mourning a young man whose college experience had only just begun. At 18, Bautista Delgado was still at the start of his adult life.
Taylor Tackett, the university’s dean of students, released a statement addressing the loss. Tackett expressed sorrow over the student’s death and said supporting the campus community was the university’s priority during the difficult period.
The university also offered condolences to Bautista Delgado’s family, friends and loved ones. Its statement recognized that the crash may also have affected people who witnessed it or were otherwise involved.
Police have confirmed the citation against Hinkle but have not released further details about the events leading up to the collision. No additional information about the investigation was provided in the available police update.
The crash has left a young student’s family and the MSU Denver community facing an unexpected loss. Bautista Delgado had only recently started his college journey, with a computer science degree ahead of him. His death has brought that journey to an end far sooner than anyone could have expected.