Suspect vehicle identified in fatal hit-and-run overnight in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A stretch of Platte Avenue reopened Friday morning (April 26th), after a deadly crash investigation overnight.

The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) confirmed to our team, that this is a fatal hit-and-run case.

Friday evening, CSPD provided an image of the suspect vehicle. It is the red Jeep SUV seen below. If you have information about who may have been driving the vehicle early this morning, please call the CSPD nonemergency line at 719-444-7000, or you can remain anonymous by calling Pikes Peak Crime Stoppers at 719-634-STOP (7867).

Eastbound Platte Avenue -- just east of the Academy Boulevard interchange -- reopened to traffic at around 5:45 a.m. after police spent four hours gathering evidence.

As part of the investigation, police closed Platte east to Murray Boulevard and west to Chelton Road.

They confirm that one person -- believed to be male -- was struck and killed by a passing vehicle while riding on a scooter.

As of this morning, we're learning that the body has now been taken by the El Paso County Coroner's Office for identification; no word yet on any arrests or possible suspects.

Police said that investigators have some clues to the vehicle description based on security video from area businesses, and will return to the area during the day to try and acquire more video.

We'll continue to follow this fatal crash as we work to get more details.

Friday's death was the city's 18th traffic fatality, and 6th pedestrian death, of the year.

The driver in Friday's incident could be charged with vehicular homicide, hit and run, and leaving the scene of an accident.