DENVER — Imagine traveling 65 mph on the highway only to come face to face with a vehicle heading right toward you. That’s what happened Wednesday on Interstate 225.

About 10 a.m., a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of the interstate collided with five other vehicles at Tamarac Drive, the Denver Police Department said.

The impact was so horrific, it dislodged the engine of the vehicle going the wrong way.

Police responded as well as its accident investigation unit.

Careful measurements were taken at the scene to determine the speed and lane traveled, and documenting any other evidence that will help them determine what happened.

All the while, traffic backed up and was jammed for hours. Southbound Interstate 25, northbound Interstate 225 and the overpass traffic were rerouted during the investigation.

Three people were taken to a hospital for treatment. Their conditions are unknown.

How and why the southbound vehicle wound up going the wrong way has yet to be determined.