Searchers in the Holy Cross Wilderness Area found a 23-year-old Missouri man Monday who had been missing since Saturday. Jacob Gately, 23, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., had hiked to an access road for a trailhead and was found by searchers, said Sara Cross, a deputy with the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office.
Gately was taken to Vail Valley Medical Center to be treated for exposure to the cold. “He is in stable condition,” Cross said. “He is very tired and hungry and cold after two nights in below-freezing temperatures.”
Gately has been missing since 7 p.m. Saturday after he and his brother, Josh Gately, 24, also of Lee’s Summit, climbed the 14,005-foot Mount of the Holy Cross.
Cross said that the brothers were on their way down from the fourteener when they became separated at about 13,000 feet. Josh Gately called 911 after his brother failed to return to their camp along the Half Moon Trail, Cross said.
The Gatley family issued a statement: “We appreciate everything everyone has done. We … are very thankful and very grateful to have both sons back.”
Howard Pankratz and Kieran Nicholson, The Denver Post
Motorist struck on I-25 dies of injuries
One of two motorists struck about 9:30 p.m. Sunday on northbound Interstate 25 just north of Lincoln Avenue has died, Lone Tree police said Monday morning.
Investigators said that a vehicle traveling north on the interstate hit the barrier wall in the center median and the driver lost control.
The vehicle came to rest in the northbound travel lanes of I-25 facing south.
Sgt. Dan Seaman and Officer Tomas Suter said the occupants got out of the vehicle directly into a travel lane where both were hit by another northbound car.
Both were transported to Littleton Porter Hospital.
Seaman said that one of the occupants died at 7:10 Monday morning. He said the condition of the second person is unknown.
Paint flash fire injures two
Two workers were injured Monday in a flash fire at a paint business in Denver.
The fire, which broke out about noon at Colorado Paint Co., 4747 Holly St., was quickly brought under control, said Lt. Phil Champagne, a spokesman with the Denver Fire Department.
Champagne said the workers were using a mechanical device to unload a 55-gallon drum filled with solvent when a spark caused the fire.
The men, who were not identified, were taken to a local hospital. One suffered “significant” burns on his arms, and the other suffered bruises, Champagne said.
Convicted felon sentenced for harassing girl
LAKEWOOD — A 47-year-old Lakewood man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for harassing an 11-year-old girl and failing to register as a sex offender.
Mark Anthony Petersimes, a three-time convicted felon, had been featured on “America’s Most Wanted” for escape in Texas shortly before he was arrested earlier this year in Colorado.
Authorities said Petersimes scared the girl with things he said to her as she was walking to a convenience store.
The girl ran into a store and called Lakewood police. When officers arrived, Petersimes gave a false name and then led officers on a foot chase. When they caught him, Petersimes attempted to hit one of the officers.
Suspect, victim in homicide named
AURORA — Aurora police have named the suspect and the victim in a homicide early Sunday.
Just before 4 a.m. Sunday, a 911 call reported a shooting near East Jewell Avenue and South Flanders Street.
Police responding to the scene found a man dead of a gunshot wound to his upper body. He has been identified as Anthony Vigil of Chama, N.M.
A suspect was taken into custody at the scene. Police identified him today as Samuel Raybin Wilhelm, also of Chama.
Police said Sunday that both men were staying at an Aurora hotel.
Innocence Project to speak to DNA task force
Representatives of the New York-based Innocence Project will testify Wednesday about their experiences dealing with lost biological evidence in criminal cases, and their support for legislation mandating DNA preservation.
They will address members of Gov. Bill Ritter’s DNA task force during its second meeting at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation headquarters building, 700 Kipling St., first floor. The panel convenes at 9:30 a.m. The public is invited.
