A driver who allegedly killed two people while fleeing police in Brighton has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder among other charges.
Nicholas Villarini, 27, is also charged with first-degree assault and vehicular eluding, both felonies, according to the Adams County District Attorney’s Office.
Villarini was allegedly driving a stolen car on Oct. 26 with police in pursuit when he ran a stop sign, hitting another car and killing a passenger, before hitting a pedestrian who also died at a local hospital, police said.
Gustavo Mosqueda Ortega, 25, of Montrose and Dulce Castro Perez, 21, of Hudson were killed, the told TheDenverChannel.
The incident unfolded at about 11:20 a.m. when officers went to the area of Gaviota Avenue and Goldfinch Street on a report of a “suspicious vehicle,” a police news release said. Officers “learned” that the vehicle was being stolen and the suspect driver “rammed” an officer’s vehicle.
The pursuit lasted about two minutes, police said. A 25-year-old woman in the stolen car was also treated at the hospital for injuries.
Villarini’s next scheduled court appearance is on Jan. 28.
