Greeley police arrested a man Thursday who authorities say caused a fatal wreck the previous night, then fled the scene while his wife lay wounded in their car.
Two people died in the collision Wednesday night at Weld County roads 45 and 54. Monte and Sandy Davenport, a retired couple from Eaton, were pronounced dead at the scene.
SanJuana Morado, 45, suffered serious injuries and was taken to North Colorado Medical Center. That is where police found 45-year-old Martin Morado, SanJuana’s husband, on Thursday afternoon, said Colorado State Patrol spokesman Ryan Sullivan.
Sullivan said Morado went to the hospital seeking treatment.
“It sounds like he pretty much gave himself up,” Sullivan said.
Investigators believe Martin Morado was driving a Ford Taurus that ran a stop sign at the intersection and broadsided the Davenports’ Chevrolet Cavalier.
“I kept trying to pull them out so that I could give them CPR,” witness Debbie Burk told the Greeley Tribune. “I thought if only I could get five minutes, I could save their lives.”
Sullivan said that after the accident, Martin Morado got into another vehicle and was taken to his home a short distance away. From there, Sullivan said, Morado fled in a Ford pickup, which authorities found abandoned in Evans on Thursday morning.
Morado is being held on suspicion of vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the influence.
“Alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor,” Sullivan said.
Morado has been arrested five times on suspicion of drinking and driving, according to Colorado Bureau of Investigation records. The records show that at least one of those arrests resulted in a conviction.
Reached by phone Thursday morning, the Davenports’ nephew, Jeffrey Duvall, 40, said his family was still dealing with the news of the crash. Though Martin Morado hadn’t yet been found, Duvall said the search wasn’t on the family’s mind.
“It’s not going to change the outcome of anything,” he said. “Our prayers go out to his wife, and we hope she’s OK.”
The family gathered at the Davenports’ house to console one another. It has been an emotional week for the family, which a few days ago gathered for Duvall’s sister’s wedding.
His sister, who is on her honeymoon, still didn’t know about her aunt and uncle, Duvall said.
Duvall said the Davenports – Monte was 61 and Sandy was 60 – left behind Monte’s mother, who is in her 80s.
“They were the caregivers for her,” he said. “So we need to find a new place for her to stay.”
Staff writer Mike McPhee contributed to this report.
Staff writer Nick Martin can be reached at 303-954-1698 or nmartin@denverpost.com.
