Aurora Police News
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The Aurora Police News Blog was created in 2016 as a new way to share news and information from the Aurora Police Department with the community we serve. It is maintained by the staff of the Public Information Officer. 

Public Information Officer Staff:

Sergeant Faith Goodrich - Unit Supervisor
Agent Matthew Longshore - Public Information Officer
Joe Moylan - Public Information Officer
Sydney Edwards - Public Information Officer 

To reach a member of the Public Information Officer call 720.432.5095 or email [email protected]. If you are a member of the public and you have a question, general request, comment or concern, please email [email protected].

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Stay connected and informed by signing up for blog e-mail alerts and by following us on our social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, InstagramYouTube and Nextdoor.

The men and women of the Aurora Police Department are committed to making a Aurora a safer place everyday.

DISCLAIMER: Information is subject to change as case investigations proceed. Individuals arrested on the basis of probable cause have not been charged. All arrestees are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. 


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On Wednesday March 7, 2021 around 9:00 p.m., the Aurora Police Department Public Safety Dispatch Center began receiving numerous calls from citizens reporting “street racers” were intentionally blocking traffic and driving recklessly on southbound Interstate-225. The callers reported, and officers subsequently found, this was significantly impeding the flow of traffic on Interstate-225, and was preventing many, including law enforcement, from traveling through the area safely.

Multiple officers responding to the area observed traffic was in fact slowing or stopped on southbound Interstate-225 between East Alameda Avenue and East Colfax Avenue. It took approximately 20 minutes for officers to be able to navigate through this area upon their arrival.

Officers were observing some vehicles engaging in “burnouts” which is a term commonly referred to when a driver intentionally keeps a vehicle stationary by applying the brakes while simultaneously applying the gas pedal. As a result, smoke is generated from the wheels due to the friction from the roadway and significantly impedes visibility on the roadway. Additionally, officers observed fireworks had been ignited into the air, and they were receiving reports some of the vehicle occupants were holding guns out of their vehicle windows.

Officers initially reported 600-800 vehicles were involved and through further investigation it is unclear exactly how many people were impacted versus intentionally involved in impeding the flow of traffic and other unlawful traffic violations. Regardless, many individuals were unjustly caught in a potentially dangerous situation, law enforcements ability to respond through the area was significantly impacted, and the incident, referred to by some as a “highway takeover”, created potential to impede anyone’s ability to get through the area to nearby hospitals.

As a result, an investigation was immediately initiated by the Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit with a focus on the organizers or facilitators of the highway takeover. This investigation has resulted in two individuals being identified as being involved or facilitating.

One such individual, a juvenile male, has been issued a state criminal summons with a mandatory court appearance into the Arapahoe County Court for the following Colorado Revised Statues:

• 42-4-1401(1) Reckless Driving
• 42-2-138 (1)(a) Drove Vehicle While License Cancelled
• 42-4-1105 (2)(a) Engaged in Speed Exhibition

Due to the subject involved being a juvenile, and to not further impact the prosecution of this incident, no further information will be provided at this time regarding the juvenile.

The second party investigated as an organizer or facilitator is Anthony Corona DOB 3/2/2000. Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit investigators believe probable cause existed to charge Mr. Corona under the following Colorado Revised Statutes:

• 18-2-201 Conspiracy
• 18-3-208 Reckless Endangerment
• 18-9-107 Obstructing Highway or Other Passageway
• 18-3-303 False Imprisonment
o 45 False Imprisonment counts reflecting the identified victims trapped on I-225 during incident
• 18-9-106 Disorderly Conduct
• 42-4-1105 Exhibition of Speed
• 42-4-1401 Reckless Driving
• 42-4-1103 Impeded Normal Flow of Traffic

Mr. Corona died in a traffic crash in Broomfield on April 4, 2021, before Aurora Police Traffic Unit investigators could formally file the above charges against him with the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Any additional information on the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Corona should be directed to the Broomfield Police Department as they are the investigating agency. Due to Mr. Corona’s death the investigation being conducted by the Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit has been closed.

Traffic related injuries and deaths are not only predictable, they are preventable when related to illegal street racing, highway takeovers or other unlawful driving behaviors. Additionally, these incidents are a nuisance and victimize our residential and business communities, and it will not be tolerated by the Aurora Police Department.

The City will now be using Aurora Municipal Code (AMC) 137-7 to target the owners of vehicles that are involved in illegal activities on the roadways regardless of whether they were the driver of the vehicle. Illegal activities include but are not limited to the following traffic violations:

• Section 1401: Reckless Driving
• Section 1402: Careless Driving
• Section 1105: Speed Contest—Speed Exhibitions
• Section 94-71: Trespass
• Section 94-38: Reckless Endangerment

Owners vehicles identified in illegal activities will be provided a notice letter that if the activity continues, they could be subject to prosecution under AMC137-7. A portion of that notice letter reads:

“As the vehicle owner, you are hereby notified that you must make a good faith effort to prevent, through appropriate action or otherwise, any person from re-committing any of the above acts or other street racing related acts contrary to law with your vehicle.”

We would like to thank the many members of the public for their patience while we investigated this complex incident. Additionally, we want to thank those who proactively provided assistance in this investigation. We continue to encourage everyone to report street racing to www.ReportStreetRacing.com. The Aurora Police Department is an active member of this working group of over 30 law enforcement agencies in the metropolitan area.

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095

Posted by [email protected]  On Apr 28, 2021 at 9:46 AM
  
(April 6) On Tuesday, April 6th, 2021, at about 5:15 P.M., Aurora Police responded to a single vehicle crash on South Peoria Street near East Alameda Avenue.

Initial investigation reveals that an SUV was traveling southbound on South Peoria Street. The SUV appears to have lost control and struck a tree. The sole occupant of the vehicle, an adult male, was transported to an area hospital where he has been pronounced deceased. Investigators believe that weather was a contribution factor to this crash.

Traffic Unit Investigators will continue to investigate and attempt to reconstruct the scene to determine speeds and other contributing factors. At this time, we do not believe that alcohol was involved.

The identity of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office after positive identification and next-of-kin notifications.

We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash, has dashcam footage, or if you have any information about this incident, please contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).

Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Apr 06, 2021 at 7:29 PM
  
(October 5) On Monday, October 5, 2020, at about 6:15 A.M., Aurora Police responded to a vehicle crash on northbound Interstate 225 near South Parker Road.

Initial investigation reveals that a Dodge Charger entered Interstate 225 from East Iliff Avenue and was going southbound in the northbound lanes when it struck the passenger side of a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. After striking the pickup truck, the Dodge continued southbound where it eventually struck, head-on, with a Mazda SUV. The driver of the Dodge was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Mazda was transported to a nearby hospital where they remain in serious condition with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Silverado was thankfully uninjured.

Traffic Unit Investigators will continue to investigate and attempt to reconstruct the scene to determine speeds and other contributing factors. At this time, we do believe that alcohol was a factor in this crash.

The identity of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office after positive identification and next-of-kin notifications.

We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash, has dash cam footage, or if you have any information about this incident, please contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867).

Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Oct 05, 2020 at 12:19 PM
  
(September 14) On Monday, September 14, 2020, at approximately 4:25 P.M., Aurora Police Officers and Aurora Fire Rescue responded to the area of East Alameda Avenue and South Peoria Street on reports of a vehicle crash involving a motorcycle.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a Mazda sedan and motorcycle were both traveling eastbound on E. Alameda Ave, approaching S. Peoria St., in the right-hand lane. The Mazda slowed to make a right-hand turn onto S. Peoria St. when the motorcycle rear-ended the Mazda. The driver of the motorcycle was thrown from his motorcycle and tragically died on scene. The driver of the Mazda was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. 

Investigators for our Traffic Unit will attempt to reconstruct the scene to determine speeds and other contributing factors of the crash. The identity of the deceased male will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office after positive identification and next-of-kin notification.

We are asking anyone who may have witnessed this crash, has dash cam footage, or if you have any information about this incident, please contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720.913.STOP (7867) or reach out to the Aurora Police Department Traffic Unit.


Officer Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720-432-5095
Posted by [email protected]  On Sep 14, 2020 at 7:59 PM
  
The Aurora Police Traffic Section would like to give an update regarding the incident that occurred on November 16, 2018, in the area of South Uravan Street and East Kentucky Avenue.

Immediately after the mother tragically backed over her one year old son, she grabbed her child, placed him in the car, and called 911. The mother then began to drive to the nearest hospital all while still on the phone with the 911 dispatcher. At the direction of the 911 dispatcher, who had already started police and fire, directed the mother to pull into the parking lot of the Shell Gas Station at South Buckley Road and East Alameda Parkway. This is where she was met by officers and rescue personnel who began to administer aid to the young boy. 

This incident appears to be a heartbreaking accident. Aurora Police Detectives will continue to investigate this thoroughly and determine if criminal charges are appropriate.  

Lt. Jad Lanigan 
Aurora Traffic Section
720-675-8915
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Information Previously Released on November 16, 2018

On November 16, 2018, at 10:10 A.M., Officers from the Aurora Police Department responded to the Shell Gas Station at South Buckley Road and East Alameda Parkway on reports of parent calling in about their child being struck by their vehicle. Investigation later revealed that this incident occurred in the area of South Uravan Street and East Kentucky Avenue.


Initial investigation confirmed that a parent was backing out of their driveway when a 12-month old child was struck by their vehicle causing serious injuries. The parent then drove to the Shell Gas Station where she was met by Aurora Police Officers. Officers performed life saving measures on the child until Aurora Fire Rescue arrived and transported the child to an area hospital.


We regret to inform you that the young child passed away from the injuries.


The incident is being investigated by our Aurora Police Traffic Section with the assistance from the Crimes Against Children Unit. 


Inquiries or further information can be directed to:

Lt. Jad Lanigan 
Aurora Traffic Section 
303-739-6326
720-675-8915
Posted by [email protected]  On Nov 16, 2018 at 5:27 PM
  
On July 7th, 2018 at approximately 4:08 a.m., Aurora Police District 3 Officers and Aurora Fire Rescue responded to the 2900 block of South Ceylon Way regarding a report of a car that crashed into a tree.  An adult driver of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene and an adult female passenger was transported to a local area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.  Alcohol and speed are being investigated as possible factors in this collision.

At this time, the identities of the involved parties are not being released.  The Aurora Police Traffic Section is conducting this investigation.

Officer Kevin Deichsel
Aurora Police Traffic Section
303-739-6373

Posted by [email protected]  On Jul 08, 2018 at 3:51 PM
  

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

2017-31466

Posted by [email protected]  On Aug 15, 2017 at 3:01 PM
  
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