DENVER, Colorado — Marco Antonio Bautista Delgado was just 18 years old and beginning his first year of college when a pedestrian crash near his university cut his life short. The Metropolitan State University of Denver freshman died after being struck by a vehicle near the Auraria Campus on Wednesday, November 11.
Bautista Delgado was studying computer science at MSU Denver. He was starting a new chapter in his life, with college ahead of him and plans for the future. Instead, his family and the university community are now dealing with the loss of a young student whose college journey had only just begun.
The crash happened at approximately 11:55 a.m. near the intersection of 9th Street and Auraria Parkway. Denver police officers responded after receiving reports of a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.
When officers arrived, they found the male pedestrian seriously injured. Emergency responders transported him to a hospital for treatment, but he later died from his injuries.
MSU Denver confirmed the student’s identity on Friday, November 13. University officials identified him as 18-year-old Marco Antonio Bautista Delgado, a first-year student pursuing a degree in computer science.
News of his death has left members of the university community mourning the loss of a student who was only beginning his college experience. For those who knew him, his death means saying goodbye to someone whose future still held so many possibilities.
Taylor Tackett, MSU Denver’s dean of students, issued a statement expressing sadness over the loss. Tackett said the university’s immediate priority was supporting students and members of the campus community as they deal with the tragedy.
The university also extended its condolences to Bautista Delgado’s family, friends and loved ones. The statement included people who witnessed the crash or were affected by what happened.
Police identified the driver as 24-year-old Conner Hinkle. Authorities said he was cited for careless driving resulting in death in connection with the collision.
Investigators have not released further details about what led to the crash. Police have also not provided additional information about the circumstances surrounding the collision.
For the MSU Denver community, the loss is especially painful because Bautista Delgado was at the very beginning of his college years. At 18, he had barely started the journey he had worked toward, and his death has left family, friends and fellow students mourning a life cut short.