Fatal US 36 Crash in Westminster: Your Legal Rights

On Sunday morning, June 28, 2026, a two-vehicle crash on westbound US 36 near the Sheridan Boulevard exit in Westminster killed one driver and left another critically injured. Westminster Police responded, transported both drivers to the hospital, and later pronounced one deceased. The identity of the person who died is being withheld. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. (Denver7, June 28-29, 2026)

The fatal crash closed the westbound lanes for hours. It came just one day after a separate serious crash on the same highway, where a stalled SUV in the center lane prompted a passing driver to swerve and strike a pedestrian on the shoulder. (CBS Colorado, June 27, 2026; FOX31/KDVR, June 27, 2026)

Two serious crashes. Same stretch of US 36. Less than 24 hours apart. Families affected by either incident deserve to understand their options — and the earlier they act, the more options remain open.

Colorado Fault Law and Motor Vehicle Accidents

Colorado is a fault-based state for motor vehicle accidents. Under C.R.S. Section 13-21-111, each party’s fault is assessed and damages are reduced in proportion to their share of responsibility. A driver who bears more than 50 percent of fault cannot recover. A driver who bears 30 percent can recover, but their damages are cut by 30 percent.

When a cause of crash is still under investigation, fault has not been assigned. That does not mean a civil claim cannot move forward. Police and civil investigations run on separate tracks. One answers to the criminal or administrative standard. The other answers to the injured party.

Starting a civil investigation early — before evidence disappears — protects the ability to establish fault on the civil record, independent of whatever the police conclude.

Wrongful Death Claims After a Fatal Crash

Families affected by the crash in Westminster have legal rights that do not depend on the outcome of the police investigation. For the family of the driver who was killed, Colorado’s wrongful death statute, C.R.S. Section 13-21-202, establishes the right to file a death claim when a fatality results from another party’s negligence. The person or entity that would have been liable had the victim survived remains liable in a wrongful death action.

Recoverable damages in death cases include medical expenses before death, funeral and burial costs, lost income and financial support, and noneconomic losses including pain and suffering, grief, and loss of companionship.

The statute of limitations for a wrongful death claim in Colorado is two years from the date of death, under C.R.S. Section 13-80-102. That deadline is firm. Gathering evidence, identifying all liable parties, and negotiating with the insurance company all take time. Starting early preserves the ability to build a strong case.

Rights of the Critically Injured Driver

The second driver, critically injured and hospitalized, faces serious circumstances that may extend well beyond initial treatment. High-speed highway crashes can cause traumatic brain injury, spinal damage, internal trauma, and multiple fractures — injuries with long recoveries and lasting consequences.

If that driver was not at fault, or only partially at fault, they have the right to pursue compensation for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. If they cannot advocate for themselves right now, a family member can begin the process of understanding their legal rights and ensuring that evidence is preserved during recovery.

Evidence That Disappears Quickly

US 36 near Sheridan Boulevard is a well-monitored corridor. Evidence exists. It also fades on timelines families are rarely aware of.

• CDOT traffic camera footage may capture the moments before impact — but without a preservation request, it can be overwritten
• Dashcam footage from either vehicle, or from other drivers on the road that morning, may document what happened from angles investigators do not have
• Event data recorders in both vehicles captured speed, braking, and steering inputs in the seconds before the crash — that data is at risk if either vehicle is repaired or released without a hold
• Cell phone records can establish whether either driver was distracted
• Witness accounts are most reliable when gathered early, before memories fade

Police preserve what their investigation requires. A civil attorney preserves what the injured driver or grieving family needs — and those are not always the same things.

Two Crashes, One Corridor: Is the Roadway a Factor?

Two serious crashes on the same stretch of US 36 in less than 24 hours raises a question worth examining: did roadway conditions or design contribute? In the earlier crash, a stalled vehicle in the center lane created a hazard that led directly to a pedestrian being struck. Under C.R.S. Section 42-4-705, a driver whose vehicle becomes disabled on a highway carries specific legal obligations — proper positioning, emergency signals, and warnings to other drivers.

If those obligations were not met, liability extends beyond just the drivers. If road design, lighting, signage, or a construction condition contributed to either crash, CDOT or another government entity may also be involved.

These are not automatic assumptions. They are questions a thorough civil investigation asks — and answers.

If You Were Involved, or if You Lost Someone

Bowman Law handles serious motor vehicle accident cases and wrongful death claims for families in Westminster, Denver, and across the Front Range. We investigate early, preserve evidence, and understand what happened — not just what the first police report says.

If you or a family member was involved in either of this weekend’s US 36 crashes, call us directly at 720-863-6904 or visit coloradopersonalinjuryhelp.com for a free, confidential consultation. There is no charge and no obligation.

The information in this article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. The crashes described in this article remain under active investigation. Facts cited reflect information available at the time of publication and may be subject to update as investigations develop. If you have been injured or have lost a family member in a crash, please consult with a qualified Colorado attorney regarding the specific facts of your situation.