EL PASO COUNTY — Colorado State Patrol says a man in a stolen vehicle caused a fatal crash on Highway 83 north of Colorado Springs Thursday morning. The highway was closed for several hours.
Troopers tell News5 the suspect was in a small Ford bus stolen in Aurora earlier Thursday morning. Aurora police tried to stop the driver, but when he fled the scene they did not pursue.
The suspect, later identified as 20-year-old Daihauonzadre Brooks-Jones, when he lost control on Highway 83 — south of Old Stagecoach Road — and hit a Toyota 4Runner, causing it to go off the road, and then a Honda Pilot was hit by the Ford bus.
Seven people were in the Honda Pilot with the 28-year-old driver, Sergio Sanchez Jr., sustaining serious injuries and taken to the hospital by ambulance. along with a 7-year-old girl, 24-year-old Aracely Sanchez, and 66-year-old Maria Sanchez who had serious injuries. Another two passengers in the Pilot were 25-year-old Hoberto Pelayo and 27-year-old Norma Leon who did not sustain injuries.
CSP identified 42-year-old Kizzy Aquirre as the driver of the Toyota 4Runner who was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash and a 66-year-old passenger of the Honda Pilot was pronounced dead at the hospital. His name is not being released at this time pending next of kin notification.
A spokesperson says the suspect is currently in the hospital for serious injuries as a result of the crash. Additional details on the potential charges will be released at a later date.
The case remains under investigation at this time, but CSP said alcohol, drugs and excessive speed are all being investigated as contributing factors in this crash.
