Seven children and a woman remained hospitalized Saturday after a car exited northbound Interstate 225 at East Colfax Avenue shortly after 7:30 p.m. Friday and struck a traffic signal pole.
One of the eight juvenile passengers, who ranged in age from 13 months to 12 years, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Of those in area hospitals, three were reported in fair condition, one was in critical condition and the others’ conditions were unknown.
Aurora police Lt. Rob McGregor said the 26-year-old female driver underwent surgery on Saturday.
He said he didn’t know why all of the children were in the 1996 Buick Regal, which normally holds five people.
“As soon as she (the driver) comes through, we can ask her,” McGregor said. “I just know there were way too many kids for that size of car.”
He said it doesn’t appear at this point in the investigation that any of the passengers were wearing seat belts.
The identities of the dead and injured won’t be released until families are notified.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
