KUSA - A 31-year-old man faces first-degree murder charges in the death of a woman found earlier this week in an Aurora apartment with apparent head trauma.
An Erie man was arrested early Saturday morning after police said he was driving drunk and hit and killed another driver while trying to make a u-turn on U.S. 287 in Lafayette.
Niraj Gautam, 18, was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide, reckless driving, reckless endangerment, false reporting, DUI and failure to present evidence of insurance, according to court records.
According to a police report, Lafayette police were called to the scene of a crash at U.S. 287 and Dillon Road at 3 a.m. Saturday.
The driver of one of the cars, identified as Loretta Avalos, 65, was killed in the crash.
When officers arrived on scene, the driver of the other vehicle — identified as Gautam — told officers he was trying to make a u-turn while driving to his home in Erie. When asked how the crash occurred, Gautam pointed at his car and said, "You don't see the damage? I got hit!"
An officer reported an odor of alcohol on Gautam's breath and noticed his eyes were watery and bloodshot, according to the affidavit. Gautam was asked if he had been drinking. "I don't think so," he responded according to the affidavit.
Gautam refused a breath test, but police took him into custody based on his performance in roadside maneuvers. They also did several blood draws.
When advised of the charges he was facing — including the vehicular homicide count — Gautam said, "What the (expletive), the other person is dead?" Then, he said, "Well I did it, can you tell me about it?" before declining to talk with police.
At a hearing Monday, Boulder Deputy District Attorney J.P. Martin, citing the serious nature of the allegations, asked Boulder County Judge Elizabeth Brodsky to set bond at $100,000. But Brodsky set bond for Gautam at $20,000, citing his age, lack of criminal history and ties to the community.
Gautam's attorney, Eric Zale, told Brodsky that Gautam lives with his parents and is a freshman at the University of Colorado in Denver.
Should he be released on bond, Gautam will have to undergo electronic alcohol monitoring and will not be allowed to drive. He is scheduled for a formal filing of charges on Wednesday.
Vehicular homicide is a Class 3 felony that could carry a prison sentence of four to 12 years.
Mitchell Byars: 303-473-1329, [email protected] ortwitter.com/mitchellbyars
