An octogenarian driver had heart complications which “likely” led to his death, causing a car accident in which his wife also died, investigators said.
Eunice Leasure, 78, and James Leasure, 84, of Denver, died Monday afternoon when their compact car made an erratic turn near the Englewood Town Center, clipped a tree and flipped into a parking lot, Englewood police said.
The car, driven by James Leasure, cut across two lanes of West Hampden Avenue about 2 p.m. to make a turn into a shopping area at South Fox Street, police said.
After the car hit the tree, it rolled into a parking lot, which is several feet lower, hitting two other vehicles and landing on its roof.
The Leasures died at the scene.
The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office performed autopsies on the couple and the “findings indicate” that James Leasure “died from heart disease, which likely caused the incident.”
Eunice died of injuries suffered in the crash.
Investigators do not suspect alcohol in the accident, however, further toxicology tests are ongoing.
“Exact causes” of the deaths will not be released until all tests are completed, the coroner said in a media release.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
