The driver of a car involved in a high-speed crash Saturday that killed three had fled a Denver police DUI checkpoint moments before the wreck.
James Thomas, 22, stopped at the checkpoint near Park Avenue west near the interstate, then sped away in his 2004 Subaru Impreza, said Denver police spokesman John White. “At some point the driver pulled out and fled and ultimately the fatal accident occurred.”
Thomas and his girlfriend, Daniella Devores, 20, and Melissa Burns, 18, ied in the accident.
Police didn’t pursue Thomas.
Nicholas Palmer, 19, f Broomfield, who was also in the car, remained in critical condition Monday at Denver Health Medical Center.
Devores had a 4.0 grade -point average at Metropolitan State College and wanted to be a lawyer, said her uncle, Hector Luna. The Broomfield High School graduate also wanted to win the Miss Colorado title, he added.
“This is a very tight family — we all loved her very much.”
Investigators say Thomas was speeding when he hit the median on the northbound I-25 off-ramp at East 58th Avenue about 1:30 a.m.
Tom McGhee: (303)954-1671 or tmcghee@denverpost.com
