A quiet Sunday afternoon in Palisade was shaken when a hit-and-run on 38 Road drew an urgent response from Colorado State Patrol. No one was hurt, but the aftermath left a mess of metal, confusion, and a community looking for answers.

The incident, which happened around 3:57 p.m. on April 6, involved three vehicles. And while one driver didn’t stick around, troopers didn’t waste time tracking them down.

A typical drive turns tense on 38 Road

It was just before 4 p.m. when things went sideways. Residents along the 600 block of 38 Road heard the commotion before they saw it.

Three cars tangled up. One of them took off.

Colorado State Patrol arrived shortly after the 911 call came in. Within minutes, the scene was filled with flashing lights, tire marks, and witnesses stepping out from their porches.

What we know so far from CSP

Details are still a bit thin, but here’s what officials confirmed by late Sunday evening:

• The call came in at 3:57 p.m. from the 600 block of 38 Road.

• Three vehicles were involved in the collision.

• One driver fled before law enforcement arrived.

• No injuries were reported at the scene.

• Colorado State Patrol has since made contact with the fleeing driver.

That last point is worth noting. A hit-and-run doesn’t always mean a clean getaway. CSP has confirmed they tracked down and spoke with the individual who initially left.

Who fled — and why?

CSP hasn’t released names or charges yet. But it raises a big question: why run?

Sometimes it’s panic. Sometimes it’s something more.

Could it be outstanding warrants? No license? Maybe alcohol or drugs? We don’t know. Not yet. What we do know is, drivers who flee usually don’t do it without reason. Investigators are digging.

There’s a one-sentence update from CSP that’s floating around:
“We have made contact with the party who left the scene.”

That’s all. No elaboration. No timeline. Just confirmation that they’ve found the driver and are handling it internally for now.

Community reaction: “It’s scary when it’s right outside your door”

Palisade is small. People notice things here.

Linda Krause, who lives nearby, said she was drinking tea on her porch when she heard the screech.
“I thought a tire blew or something. Then I saw the cars. One took off so fast, I couldn’t even tell what kind it was,” she said.

Another neighbor, Dylan Herrera, said incidents like this are rare.
“It’s Palisade. Stuff like this doesn’t really happen here,” he said. “I mean yeah, cars hit things sometimes. But not like this. Not three cars and then someone just bolts.”

You could feel the tension in the area even hours after. Curious onlookers, shaken neighbors, and a lingering sense of disbelief.

Hit-and-run cases in Mesa County aren’t rare anymore

Here’s a look at hit-and-run crash reports in Mesa County over the past few years:

That’s an upward trend.

CSP has been under pressure to address this rise, especially in more populated areas like Grand Junction. But Palisade? This one hit a little too close to home for many.

Next steps: investigation still active

The case is far from over. Charges could be coming. Depends on a few things:

1. Was there any prior criminal activity?

2. Was the fleeing driver under the influence?

3. Was property damage involved?

Even without injuries, leaving the scene of an accident is a criminal offense in Colorado. Depending on the circumstances, it could range from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Authorities haven’t confirmed if the suspect is cooperating. But given that CSP tracked them down quickly, the assumption is they didn’t go far.

Locals want cameras, speed bumps, and something more

This isn’t the first time residents have complained about 38 Road.

“It’s like people forget it’s a residential street,” said Jim Halbrook, who lives just three houses away from where the crash happened. “You’ve got families, pets, kids — and folks treating it like a racetrack.”

There’ve been growing calls for traffic-calming measures in the area. Some locals are pushing for:

• Additional speed signage

• Neighborhood surveillance programs

• Lower speed limits

• Speed bumps at high-traffic sections

“Even a couple of cameras could help,” said Krause. “At least if someone takes off, we’d catch them on video.”

Mesa County hasn’t publicly responded to those requests, but there’s chatter about the Board of Commissioners reviewing neighborhood traffic safety this summer.