DENVER
Ambulance jumper left husband, 3 kids
A mother of three who leaped to her death from a moving ambulance on Interstate 25 near East Orchard Road led a life that centered around family and faith, family said.
Authorities rushed Mellissa Watkins, 36, to Swedish Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead shortly after the incident Sunday afternoon.
Police don’t believe the woman was pushed, and foul play isn’t suspected.
“It’s a very tragic situation,” said Sgt. Jim White of the Greenwood Village Police Department.
Watkins is survived by her husband, Ronnie, and three children, Madeline, 9, Landon, 7, and Michaela, 4.
DENVER
Man rescued from boat dies at hospital
An elderly man rescued from Cherry Creek State Park when his boat capsized Sunday died early Monday evening, a spokeswoman for Swedish Medical Center said.
Asie Simien, 77, spent about 10 minutes under water before being plucked out by a passer-by, officials said.
AURORA
911 tapes of collision that killed 3 released
Police released 911 recordings Monday of witnesses of a multivehicle crash that killed three members of a family driving home from a fireworks show on the Fourth of July.
Several witnesses called 911 and described the crash while others were heard trying to help pull victims from the wreckage.
Police also identified and continue to investigate a tow-truck driver, Cynthia Charlebois, 30, who was involved in the wreck.
The crash occurred about 11 p.m., near South Chambers Road and East Mississippi Avenue.
William O’Neil, 40, his wife, Karen O’Neil, 43, and their 4-year-old son, Trevor, were killed.
Two-year-old Tyler O’Neil survived the crash and is still in fair condition at Children’s Hospital, authorities said.
More online: Hear the 911 tapes at.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
Post seeks case files in Manzanares charges
The Denver Post filed a complaint in Jefferson County District Court on Monday asking a judge to open the case file in the investigation of former Judge and Denver City Attorney Larry Manzanares.
Last week, the district attorney’s office rejected a request from The Post to open the file and shed light on the decision to charge Manzanares with three felonies in connection to a stolen computer that was tracked to his home.
District Attorney Scott Storey’s office said releasing more details on Manzanares was against the public interest.
In the complaint, The Post said it is concerned with the conduct of the district attorney and other public officials, not Manzanares. Manzanares took his own life last month.
DENVER
2 men hospitalized in drive-by shooting
Two people were shot Monday night, and Denver police were searching for at least two suspects who were driving a large white truck.
The shootings happened just before 10 p.m. at Ohio Street and Federal Boulevard, Denver police Detective John White said.
The victims, both men in their mid-20s to 30s, were rushed to Denver Health Medical Center, where one was in serious condition and the other in critical condition, White said.
Investigators said late Monday that it was too early to determine a motive for the shooting and whether it was gang-related.
NORWOOD
Climber’s body found on remote China peak
The body of a top female mountain climber who has been missing for seven months was found on a remote peak in northern China, her family said Monday.
Christine Boskoff and her climbing partner, who both lived in Norwood, failed to return home as planned Dec. 4. The body of her partner, photographer Charlie Fowler, was recovered from the mountain in December.
The search for Boskoff recently resumed after efforts were suspended over the winter. Her passport and camera were found by her body late last week, said her mother, Joyce Feld of Appleton.
DENVER
Man who molested 3 gets 40 years to life
A 62-year-old man who molested three young girls placed in his care as a private foster parent was sentenced Monday to 40 years to life in prison.
Two of the three victims and several family friends spoke at the sentencing of Joseph Lujan. They talked about the devastating impact of the sexual assaults.
The children, ranging in age from 3 to 15, were assaulted during a three-year period.
Deputy District Attorneys Diane Balkin and Ryan Younggren had asked for the maximum sentence of 48 years but said they were satisfied with the sentence.
