Man on Mental Health Hold Dies After Attempting to Flee Hospital
Lone Tree, CO – A tragic incident unfolded Saturday night when a man, who was on a mental health hold at Sky Ridge Medical Center, died after trying to escape the facility.
According to Lone Tree officials, the man fled the hospital around 5 p.m., jumping over a fence and attempting to cross Interstate 25 near C-470. Unfortunately, he was struck by multiple vehicles while crossing the busy highway. Emergency responders transported him back to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries later that evening.
In the aftermath of the incident, multiple lanes of I-25 were closed in both directions as authorities investigated the scene before reopening around 8 p.m.
The situation escalated further when police noticed a person on the light rail tracks, prompting the Regional Transportation District (RTD) to suspend train service at the Lincoln Station platform. Reports indicated that a separate individual fled south from that location shortly after.
Both the Lone Tree Police Department and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office were on the scene to respond to the fatal crash and manage the subsequent chaos.
The community is mourning this tragic event, which highlights the urgent need for enhanced mental health support and intervention methods. The local authorities are conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
This report is a collaborative effort with 9NEWS, a partner of the Denver Gazette, providing additional coverage on this developing story.