Aurora, CO.- 06/18/16, 12:44 a.m.- APD Officers responded to the area of E. Mississippi Ave. and I-225 highway northbound off ramp on a report of a two vehicle crash with injuries. Investigation revealed a red in color 2012 Dodge Charger, driven by a 15yo juvenile male, with two juvenile female passengers, 15 and 14 yo, were northbound on I-225 passing S. Parker Rd. at a high rate of speed without headlamps on. An APD officer was conducting speed enforcement at that location, observing and verifying the Dodge's speed at 80mph with Lidar. The officer merged onto the highway and attempted to stop the Dodge but upon the driver seeing the police vehicle he increased speed and eluded, continuing northbound. The officer discontinued trying to stop the vehicle as the Dodge was driving recklessly, weaving around other traffic. The Dodge continued northbound and exited the highway at E. Mississippi Ave. at a high rate of speed. The Dodge could not stop at the signalized intersection, drove over the center median, going slightly airborne, and broadsided a white in color 2007 Jeep Liberty, driven by a 29 yo female, which was traveling westbound on E. Mississippi Ave. The 29yo female had to be extricated from the vehicle by AFD. All parties involved were transported to a local hospital where the occupants of the Dodge were treated for minor injuries. The 29 yo female victim sustained life threatening injuries from the crash and is currently in ICU in critical condition.
The APD Traffic Section is investigating this incident under report # 2016-24250. We are not releasing names at this time. Charges against the at fault driver are pending the outcome of our investigation. All parents/ guardians of the juveniles were notified. We do not believe alcohol or drug impairment were involved with this crash. Contributing factors of this crash were speed and driver inexperience, as the 15yo male juvenile did not have any kind of driver's license or permit to be driving a motor vehicle.
Lt. Michael A. McClelland
Aurora Police Department Traffic Section
Traffic Section Commander
