Man sentenced for deadly Denver hit-and-run

Calistro Ortega-Uribe hit and killed Nicholas Teegarden in August 2025 before fleeing the scene.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:36pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered car side mirror reflecting a dim street light, conveying the stark aftermath of a deadly hit-and-run collision.A recent wave of deadly hit-and-run crashes in Denver has exposed the urgent need for tougher penalties to hold drivers accountable.Denver Today

Calistro Ortega-Uribe, 50, has been sentenced to prison for hitting and killing 59-year-old pedestrian Nicholas Teegarden in a hit-and-run crash in Denver last August. Ortega-Uribe initially fled the scene but was arrested the next day and later pleaded guilty to attempting to leave the scene of an accident involving death.

Why it matters

Hit-and-run crashes are an ongoing public safety issue in Denver, with many resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. This case highlights the need for stronger enforcement and penalties to deter drivers from fleeing the scene of a crash.

The details

According to police, Ortega-Uribe struck and killed Teegarden around 11 p.m. on August 16, 2025 at the intersection of East 36th Avenue and Quebec Street. Ortega-Uribe did not remain at the crash site, but was arrested around 11 a.m. the following day. He initially faced charges of vehicular homicide-DUI and leaving the scene of an accident involving death, but those charges were later dismissed when he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of attempting to leave the scene of an accident involving death.

  • The crash occurred around 11 p.m. on August 16, 2025.
  • Ortega-Uribe was arrested around 11 a.m. the following day on August 17, 2025.
  • In February 2026, Ortega-Uribe pleaded guilty to the charges.

The players

Calistro Ortega-Uribe

A 50-year-old man who hit and killed a pedestrian in a hit-and-run crash in Denver in August 2025, before fleeing the scene and later pleading guilty to attempting to leave the scene of an accident involving death.

Nicholas Teegarden

A 59-year-old pedestrian who was killed in the hit-and-run crash in Denver in August 2025.

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The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for stronger penalties and enforcement to deter hit-and-run driving and protect pedestrians on Denver's streets. It also highlights the importance of drivers remaining at the scene of a crash to provide aid and information to authorities.