Police: Man Who Died After Car Crash Was Not Pedestrian, But Passenger
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4)- Police in Aurora said the man who died after a car crash was actually a passenger thrown from the car, not a pedestrian hit by it.
Witnesses told police Tuesday night that the Chevy Impala hit the man, Faison Eriven of Denver, and drove away at S. Buckley Rd. and E. Kentucky Ave. at about 10 p.m. Tuesday. Officers rushed to the scene believing a pedestrian was struck.
Officers said the Impala left the roadway and drove onto the sidewalk area, striking a light pole. Officers initially thought the Impala struck a man walking on the sidewalk, which was later determined to be false.
When the Impala came to a stop, two men inside ran away from the accident scene. One of the men, the driver, was arrested a short time later in a nearby neighborhood. The other man was not located after an extensive search.
Those witnesses who talked to officers at the accident scene were later identified as friends of all three men in the Impala. Police said they provided false information in an apparent effort to protect their friends.
Police talked with the driver, Alfundi Jolaoso of Aurora on Wednesday, and got a different story.
Investigators said Eriven, 19, was a passenger in the backseat of the Impala and was thrown from the vehicle when it hit a light pole. Eriven died at the hospital from his injuries.
Jolaoso, 21, is charged with careless driving resulting in death and leaving the scene of an accident.
Police said the witness who gave false information, Tulanda Fuka of Aurora, 22, could also face charges. He was arrested for a court order violation.
Police said none of the men were wearing seat belts.
