Police Hope To Find Hit & Run 'Key Witness,' Release Photo
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4) - Police in Jefferson County hope a series of surveillance images released on Monday will help them locate the person who they believe witnessed a fatal hit-and-run crime.
Officials with the Jefferson County District Attorney's office say they are hoping to find and identify the male in the photos below. The photos were captured in a Circle K gas station convenience store about a mile from where the July 21 crime happened.
Police said they suspect the male saw some or all of the crime in Lakewood that left 15-year-old Gerard Julien dead.
Julien died when a vehicle believed to be driven by Derrick Fransua, 21, ran a red light at South Kipling Parkway and West Asbury Avenue.
"This is an incredibly tragic loss of life. Gerard Julien, the victim, was 15 years old," said Jefferson County Assistant DA Michael Doughtery.
Fransua's father Vincent turned him in 6 hours after the crash and he was formally charged with numerous felony charges in Jefferson County Court on Monday morning.
Court documents state that two men in a Chrysler PT Cruiser at a stoplight on Kipling were laughing when a black Honda pulled up behind them and the men allegedly said "come on, bring it." As the cars then sped down Kipling Julien -- who was jogging -- was hit.
The alleged street racing competitor of Fransua's so far hasn't been identified.
"Is this guy in the pictures the other driver of the other car?" CBS4's Jodi Brooks asked Doughtery.
"I can't say," Doughtery said.
According to the DA's office, the man seen in the surveillance images could be a "key witness." Doughtery also wouldn't tell CBS4 if the images were captured before or after the crime took place.
"Based on the information we have available to us now, we believe he might be a witness in this case," Doughtery said.
Julien, who went by the nickname Gerry, was home in Lakewood visiting his father and stepmom for the summer. He attended boarding school in Texas and had his sights set on becoming a Navy SEAL.
Vincent Fransua and his wife sent CBS4 a statement last week saying they are "deeply saddened about the passing of Gerry Julien. Our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to his family."
