Two 19-year-olds were thrown from their car and killed when their vehicle was struck from behind by an alleged drunken driver fleeing from police near Grand Junction, according to authorities and published reports.
Patrick Strawmatt, 42, of Westminster, was arrested following the accident just after 10 p.m. Thursday, said Colorado State Patrol Master Trooper Ron Watkins.
The identities of the victims, a man and a woman, have not been released.
A trucker called the Colorado State Patrol at about 10 p.m. saying that someone was weaving and going about 30 mph on Interstate-70 near Grand Junction, Watkins said.
When a CSP officer approached the suspected car and turned on his rooftop emergency lights, the SUV sped away from the officer and soon after smashed into the back of the teens’ car, Watkins said.
Both teens were taken by ambulance to St. Mary’s Hospital where they were pronounced dead, he said.
