(August 21) On Saturday August 21, 2021 at 4:24 a.m., officers responded to a crash involving two vehicles in the intersection of East Alameda Parkway and South Airport Boulevard.

Upon arrival to the scene officers discovered a white Toyota Prius had been broadsided by a burgundy GMC Yukon. The driver of the Prius, a 25-year-old male and Aurora resident, tragically died on-scene.  The driver of the Yukon, a 24-year-old male from Florida, was transported to an area hospital with injuries where he remains at this time.

 The initial investigation suggests the Yukon was traveling westbound on East Alameda Parkway at a high rate of speed as the Prius was traveling eastbound on East Alameda Parkway, both approaching the intersection at South Airport Boulevard. As the Prius was making a northbound turn onto South Airport Boulevard, the speeding Yukon broadsided the Prius.

 Alcohol and speed, by the driver of the Yukon, are believed to be contributing factors leading to the fatal crash. The driver of the Yukon, who is still hospitalized, will be charged with Vehicular Homicide upon release from the hospital. Once he is charged his identity will be released.

The identity of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once he has been positively identified and his next-of-kin have been notified. 

 Anyone who may have witnessed this fatal crash or otherwise have any information related to it, are asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP. Your tips there can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.00.

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095

(August 3) On Saturday July 31, 2021 at 12:23 a.m., Aurora police officers responded to 15423 East 13th Avenue apartment 205 where a female resident was reporting she shot a male intruder.

The initial investigation suggested the female resident was reporting a man, whom she previously had an intimate relationship with, forced his way into her apartment, assaulted another adult male occupant, and she made the decision to shoot the alleged assailant. At that point in the investigation the female was detained and then released pending further investigation.

The female resident caller is being identified as Emily Janis Strunk DOB: 09/04/1995. The adult male occupant whom was allegedly assaulted is being identified as Kevin Lee Wertin DOB: 11/16/1993. The adult male shot remains in critical condition from the gunshot wound, and his identity is not being released at this time.

New information developed in this investigation has led to the arrest of both Strunk and Wertin in Aurora on August 2, 2021 for the following Colorado Revised Statute:

18-3-102 Murder in the First Degree (Attempt)

This incident continues to be investigated by the Major Crimes Homicide Unit. Anyone who witnessed this incident, or has information about is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.7867. By using Crime Stoppers, tipsters can remain anonymous and be eligible for a REWARD of up to $2,000.



Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095

On July 9, 2021 at 10:00 p.m., officers responded to a car crash involving a blue MINI Cooper and a red Honda Civic on eastbound East Colfax Avenue one half of a mile east of Himalaya Street.

The initial investigation suggests the MINI Cooper was traveling eastbound on East Colfax Avenue at a high rate of speed then ran through a red light at Tower Road. Meanwhile, the driver of the Honda Civic was stopped on the eastbound shoulder of East Colfax Avenue facing westbound attempting to make a U-turn back into the proper direction on East Colfax Avenue.  While making the U-turn the Honda Civic was broadsided by the MINI Cooper. Investigators have not yet been able to determine to what degree, if any at all, that speed, alcohol or drugs contributed to the crash. 

The 51-year-old male driver of the MINI Cooper was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.  His identity will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once he has been positively identified and his next-of-kin have been notified. 

The 32-year-old female driver of the Honda Civic was extricated from her vehicle and transported to the hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095