Deputies say a road rage encounter preceded a gunshot that wounded a passenger in a black SUV.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — A Tuesday evening crash report on Highway 285 quickly shifted to a shooting investigation after deputies found a passenger with a gunshot wound to the head near Sourdough Drive around 7 p.m. on Nov. 11, officials said.
The southbound lanes were closed for hours while investigators documented the scene and searched for evidence along the foothills stretch between Conifer and Indian Hills. The Sheriff’s Office said the injured passenger underwent emergency surgery and was in critical but stable condition by Wednesday morning. The incident has prompted a broader review of witness accounts and dash camera footage as authorities look for a light-colored Subaru believed to have been traveling in the same direction as the black SUV before the gunfire.
Dispatchers first fielded calls about a single-vehicle crash near Settlers Drive just before 7 p.m. Additional reports flagged possible shots fired, sending more units to the corridor. Deputies arrived to find the SUV off the roadway and a wounded passenger who was treated on scene before transport. Traffic was diverted at nearby intersections while technicians used mapping tools and evidence markers to record the crash footprint and roadway debris. The Sheriff’s Office did not immediately release the number of shots fired or a more specific vehicle description, citing the early stage of the investigation.
Witnesses told investigators they saw aggressive driving before the crash and a lighter-colored Subaru moving south with the damaged SUV moments before the shooting. Detectives are checking nearby homes and businesses for exterior cameras that might show the approach to the crash site. Officials did not identify the victim or any other occupants of the SUV and did not provide their hometowns. It was not known Wednesday whether the driver of the SUV suffered injuries in the crash.
The 285 corridor serves as a major conduit for mountain communities. Even short closures can ripple into lengthy backups on frontage roads and residential streets. On Tuesday night, motorists reported stop-and-go traffic as deputies set up cones and blocked the southbound lanes while emergency crews positioned portable lights for the crime scene team. Local responders assisted with detours and lane control until the highway was cleared later that night.
As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests had been announced and investigators had not said whether they had recovered shell casings or ballistic evidence from the roadway. Detectives plan to continue interviews through the week and review any video they obtain from drivers. Any decision on charges and court dates would come after an arrest and a filing review by prosecutors, officials said.
Drivers who live along the corridor described a strong law enforcement presence. A Conifer resident said they turned around near the closure after “seeing nothing but brake lights” stacking up the hill. Another commuter said they passed emergency units headed westbound as the closure was put in place.
By nightfall Wednesday, deputies said the victim remained hospitalized, and the search for the Subaru continued. Further updates are expected as investigators verify new information and complete evidence processing.
Author note: Last updated November 13, 2025.