1 killed, 1 suspect arrested in Colorado after carjacking, crash in Aurora
Police in Aurora are investigating a deadly crash that began with a carjacking on Sunday night. Officers rushed to a report of an armed carjacking in the 1700 block of North Clinton Street about 7 p.m. Sunday.
Less than 10 minutes later, officers located the stolen vehicle near 25th Avenue and Dallas Street thanks to the help of the carjacking victim. But when officers tried to stop the suspect, later identified as a 17-year-old from Aurora, that person drove away.
Police pursued the stolen vehicle for about four blocks until the suspect struck a speed bump, lost control and crashed into a vehicle with a person inside at Dayton and 19th Avenue.
The person in that other vehicle was killed in the crash. The victim was identified by his roommate to CBS News Colorado as a 24-year-old man named Oliver. A crowdfunding page identifies the victim as Oliver Jose Zeledon Gongora.
"He was a sweet guy, always big dreaming," said Terry, Oliver's roommate.
The suspect was detained by police and taken to the hospital where he was treated and released into police custody. The crash involved several other vehicles.
Terry said he heard the crash Sunday night from inside his house. "It sounded like a bomb."
When Terry went outside to see what happened, he saw several flashing lights from police vehicles and Oliver's mangled car.
"I saw Oliver was inside the car, so we jumped and tried to open the door... a few neighbors came to help, but we couldn't get him out."
The suspect remained in custody at the Adams County Jail on charges of second-degree murder, aggravated robbery and vehicular eluding causing death, all felonies.
Dayton was closed between Montview and 17th during the investigation on Sunday night. Officers recovered a firearm with an extended magazine from inside the stolen vehicle.
Terry captured the commotion on his cellphone, which shows some Aurora police officers trying to get to Oliver.
"One of them came and said you should stop because if [Oliver] is alive, you can hurt him."
Terry said it was frustrating that first responders seemingly left his friend in the car for more than six hours.
"Finally, at like 2 a.m. they removed his body... we couldn't see him," he said. "I feel painful. I feel sadness. I miss him. He lived with me for three years, and I was very attached to him. He was just 24 years old."
The 17th Judicial Critical Incident Response Team joined Aurora Police Department's Major Crime Homicide Unit, Traffic Investigation Unit, Gang & Robbery Investigation Team, Victim Services Unit and Crime Scene Investigators at the scene. Major Crimes will be leading the investigation into the carjacking and vehicular homicide.
