A crash on Highlands Ranch Parkway left a pedestrian dead on Wednesday morning, closing traffic in the area as the fatal crash investigation began. 

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a crash near Venneford Ranch Road and Highlands Ranch Parkway around 7 a.m. on Wednesday morning, according to a social media post by the department. The reported crash included a pedestrian and vehicle. 

One lane of eastbound Highlands Ranch Parkway was closed while deputies and medical responders worked the scene. Alternate routes were advised in the area. 

An hour later, the department announced that the pedestrian had died following the incident, starting a fatal traffic crash investigation. 

No other details were released Wednesday morning.

One-hundred and thirty-three pedestrians died in Colorado crashes in 2023, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation, a 16% increase from the 111 in 2022.

This story is developing.