Thornton police arrested a 15-year-old male from Westminster who they believe was the driver in an accident on Interstate 25 that left a 12-year-old in serious condition.
The crash occurred Sunday about 3:30 p.m. in the 8800 block of southbound I-25, according to the Thornton Police Department.
Six males ranging in age from 12 to 17 years old were riding in an SUV that had been reported stolen from Brighton on June 9. They were attempting to make a lane change when the SUV clipped the front end of a semi-tractor trailer and rolled over.
Witnesses said that four of the passengers were trying to help the injured 12-year-old through a field when Thornton police arrived. One of the passengers fled the scene, while three remained to help the injured boy, who was in serious condition with non-life threatening injuries as of Monday.
Authorities arrested the 15-year-old on Tuesday. The juvenile, whose name was not released, is being investigated for several charges, including theft by receiving, careless driving causing serious bodily injury, failing to notify police of an accident, failing to remain at the scene of an accident involving injury, and driving without a valid drivers license.
Police are still investigating how the 15-year-old obtained the stolen vehicle.
Mitchell Byars: mbyars@denverpost.com
