18-year-old arrested on vehicular homicide charges following fatal crash investigation
The Thornton Police Department announces that 18-year-old David Yovany Mendez-Reyes has been arrested in connection with the fatal crash that occurred on March 20 at the intersection of East 120th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard.
Following a thorough investigation, the Thornton Police Department obtained an arrest warrant from the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office charging Mendez-Reyes with the following:
- 18-3-106(1)(b)(I) VEHICULAR HOMICIDE-DUI
- 18-3-106(1)(a) VEHICULAR HOMICIDE-RECKLESS DRIVING
- 42-2-138(1)(a) DRIVING UNDER RESTRAINT
Our partners at the Brighton Police Department took the suspect into custody and booked him into the Adams County jail earlier this week.
The original crash investigation determined that Mendez-Reyes, driving a Toyota Corolla eastbound on 120th Avenue, ran a red light and crashed into the passenger side of an Acura TL driven by a 35-year-old male, who was turning southbound. The 35-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.
The filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual committed an offense under Colorado laws. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The Thornton Police Department appreciates the community’s patience during this investigation and remains committed to public safety on our roadways.