Dennis Rodman Drove the WRONG WAY on Freeway in Crash, Officials Say

Dennis Rodman was driving the WRONG WAY on a California freeway during a July 20th crash ... and then FLED the scene ... officials say.

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Rodman was being investigated for hit-and-run after witnesses told the California Highway Patrol they believed the NBA great was driving a white SUV that crashed on the 5 Freeway around 12:30 AM.

CHP investigators now believe Rodman WAS behind the wheel -- and was traveling northbound while in the southbound carpool lane that night.

Officials say the driver of a BMW swerved to avoid a head-on collision and hit the center divider. Rodman allegedly left the scene.

Multiple sources tell us ... Rodman was at a karaoke bar in the hours before the crash. We're guessing officials want to find out if he was drinking.

TMZ Sports obtained a photo of Rodman at the bar earlier that night holding car keys in his hand.

CHP investigators are recommending Orange County prosecutors should move forward with charges against Rodman.

Story developing ...