COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Police say street racing was a factor in a crash that injured at least one person on Garden of the Gods Road Thursday morning, but one of the drivers involved says that’s not the case.

Police said the crash happened around 9:30 a.m. on Garden of the Gods Road just west of Interstate 25. Witnesses told police two cars were racing on eastbound Garden of the Gods when one of them hit a car that was turning left out of a business parking lot.

“Two vehicles were engaged in a street race and that did lead to this collision with another vehicle that was not involved in the race,” said Sgt. Craig Simpson with the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Police said one person in the car that was hit sustained serious injuries. There’s no word on whether anyone else was injured.

Charges have yet to be filed, but Chris Clausen told FOX21 he was involved in the crash and claims he was not speeding.

“The way that the police report or how you guys got your information, it’s just completely not the way it happened,” Clausen said.

Clausen said at the time of the crash, he was trying to pass a semi-truck before getting on the interstate, but didn’t see the victim’s car.

“The Dodge swerved left into oncoming traffic,” he said. “I don’t know if he hit anyone and I don’t know if he hit anybody, because at that point, the second he left all I saw a car sitting in front of me, I hit the car, there was nothing I can do.”

Police said speed played a factor in the crash. This is what Clausen had to say when asked if there was an element of aggressive driving or speeding on his behalf.

“No, I wasn’t speeding, I just accelerated faster than a semi-truck,” said Clausen.

Police said speed racing continues to be a constant issue and warned if drivers continue to engage, they could face severe penalties and potential vehicular assault charges.

“We would much rather see people, if they want to engage in racing, take it out to the track,” said Simpson.

Clausen agreed and also offered an apology to the victim in the crash.

“There’s so many tracks in Colorado,” he said. “Don’t be stupid. Look at what could happen when it’s not. I hope you’re OK and I hope you have a fast recovery.”

The name of the victim involved in this crash has not been released.