Arvada woman dies after being struck by rock while driving, suspects wanted in series of rock throwings

UPDATE: 3 suspects arrested in rock-throwing attacks

Law enforcement are searching for the suspects wanted in an overnight homicide in Jefferson County as well as a series of incidents where the suspects threw rocks at vehicles. 

Around 10:45 p.m. Wednesday, 20-year-old Alexa Bartell, of Arvada, was driving northbound near the 10600 block of Indiana Street. The suspects, believed to be in a vehicle or possibly on the side of the road, threw a large rock at Bartell's vehicle. That rock struck and killed her. 

Bartell was on the phone talking to a friend when she was struck and the phone went silent. Her friend tracked Bartell's phone and drove to the location on Indiana Street where she found her fatally wounded inside her car, which had gone off the roadway and into a field.

Jacki Kelley a spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said, "The friend, literally drove to the location where it says Alexa's phone was. That is where she found Alexa's car down in the field."

Just hours after announcing that they were looking for a light-colored 4-door 2003-2005 Dodge Ram, investigators confirmed that they located the truck and its owner, and they were both found not to be connected to Bartell's death or the ongoing investigation. 

Tire tracks show where the car left the road. An evidence marker was placed next to a rock. "These rocks are found inside the victim's vehicles after coming through the windshields," Kelley said.

Kelley called it a serious crime: "This is absolutely devastating. They lost their daughter. I can tell you Jefferson County has put a lot of resources into this."

Bartell's death is believed to be linked to several other incidents in the area, including: 

• 10:04 p.m. Wednesday – Westminster - 100th Ave. & Simms St. – rock through windshield – driver not injured
• 10:36 p.m. Wednesday – Boulder County - McCaslin Blvd & S. Indiana St. (entrance to Rock Creek neighborhood) rock through windshield – minor injuries to driver
• 10:37 p.m. Wednesday – Boulder County – McCaslin Blvd & S. Indiana St. (entrance to Rock Creek neighborhood) - rock vs.Toyota 4-Runner – body damage to vehicle, driver not injured 
• 10:45 p.m. Wedneday – Jefferson County – 10600 block of Indiana St. – rock through windshield of yellow Chevy Spark – homicide
• April 20 at 12:24 a.m. Thursday – Arvada - Hwy 93 at Hwy 72 – rock through windshield – minor injuries to driver

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office investigators are working with the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, Arvada Police and Westminster Police to gather information. They believe there could be more victims. 

Additional Information from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office: 

Investigators need the public's help identifying and locating the suspects involved in these crimes. If you were in any of these areas and witnessed anything related to the suspect vehicle or the suspects who may have been inside, call the JCSO tip line at 303-271-5612. No piece of information is insignificant. If you have home security or dash cameras that may have caught the vehicle driving by, we want to hear from you.