Altercation leads to deadly hit-and-run in Arvada – police seeking witnesses

DENVER (KDVR) — One person is dead after a hit-and-run crash following an altercation between two drivers in Arvada last week, and now police are trying to find witnesses.

Loved ones identified the man exclusively to FOX31’s Nicole Fierro. David Brlej, who went by Dave, was a 67-year-old grandfather and school bus driver killed in what family believes was a road rage incident.

On Sept. 6 just after 6 a.m., officers with the Arvada Police Department responded to the report of the hit-and-run crash on the northwest corner of the intersection of 64th Ave. and Indiana St.

Police found a man on the ground suffering from life-threatening injuries, according to a press release from Arvada police. He was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Investigation finds road rage may be a factor

According to police, an early investigation suggests that the deadly hit-and-run happened after the victim and another driver apparently engaged in an “altercation” at 72nd Avenue and Indiana Street.

The victim was driving a gray Lexus SUV, and the suspect driver, who police said has been identified, was driving a brown Ford Focus. Police said both drivers were the sole occupants of the vehicles, and both appeared to be heading to work.

Both drivers drove to the ABC Carwash parking lot at 14835 W. 64th Ave. where police said the driver of the Lexus got out of his vehicle and the driver of the Ford stayed in his.

“The driver of the Ford Focus left the parking lot, and it was at this time that a collision occurred with the driver of the Lexus, causing life-threatening injuries,” the police department said in a press release Thursday.

Bus driver’s death impacting the community

“There’s so many parents and their kids are affected by this because he’s not picking them up on the bus anymore,” Brlej’s stepson Joshua Scott said. ”And then you have to say, where’s Bus Driver Dave? The older ones get it. The younger ones. How do you process that?”

Scott said Brlej was an organ donor, and one thing getting their family through this time is the thought that his tragic death may have saved other lives with his organ donation.

“My mom wishes and hopes that if any good can come from this situation, it would be that we save one life from road rage,” Scott said.

Scott told FOX31 that they were told the suspect called and turned himself in after leaving the scene.

“It’s scary,” Scott said. “I know charges haven’t been filed yet because Arvada PD is doing an absolute diligent investigation. But with that being said, how scary is it for the public to find out down the road that there might be a murder and this guy is still out on the road.”

The investigation continues, and the police department said it cannot release any further details.

Investigators are now asking anyone who may have a video of the incident or who may have witnessed the incident to contact Detective J. Glynn at jglynn@arvada.org .

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