On August 15th, 2017 at 1:26 a.m., Aurora Patrol Officers responded to the area of E. Mississippi Ave. and S. Potomac Street on a report of a single vehicle crash with injuries. Traffic investigators responded to the scene and our investigation revealed the following:
A maroon in color 1999 Ford Expedition, driven by a 50 yo male, with a 23 yo adult female passenger, both from Aurora, CO., were in the area of the McDonald's/ Waffle House restaurants located at E. Mississippi Ave. and S. Uvalda Street. Witness accounts and evidence showed the vehicle sped out of the parking lot for unknown reasons, over the landscaped embankment, across the sidewalk and struck a fire hydrant. The vehicle continued out onto E. Mississippi Ave. and proceeded eastbound. At some point the vehicle was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes at a high rate of speed, drove back over the center median into the eastbound lanes, lost control and went over the south curb line near 13800 block of E. Mississippi Ave. The female passenger was ejected from the vehicle prior to it striking a tree. Both parties were taken to a local hospital, the male sustaining minor injuries, and the female with life threatening injuries. After several hours of surgery the female victim succumbed to her injuries.
The Aurora Police Traffic Section is investigating this crash under case# 2017-31466. We are not releasing the names of the driver and victim pending the completion of our investigation. We believe contributing factors in this crash were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speed, and failure to utilize seatbelt restraints. Charges against the driver are pending but may result in Vehicular Homicide, Reckless Driving and DUI.
Lieutenant Michael A. McClelland
Traffic Section Commander
303-739-6326
