The official findings of an officer-involved shooting that occurred on June 1, 2023 in Aurora can be found here. If you have questions or need further assistance accessing this report, please call 720-874-8500 during normal business hours.
A Douglas County jury has found Ricky Avalos-Trujillo, 25, guilty in a crash that killed two high school students back in August 2022.
The investigation revealed Avalos-Trujillo was driving southbound in the northbound lanes on the I-25 frontage road at mile post 179 near Castle Rock when he crashed into a truck carrying four teenagers. The collision killed two of the teens and critically injured a third.
The Coroner’s Office identified the deceased victims as Audrey Todd and Colton Bellamy. Both were 17-years-old.
Avalos-Trujillo was charged and convicted of the following offenses:
Vehicular Homicide-DUI (Class 3 Felony) (2 counts)
Vehicular Assault-DUI (Class 4 Felony)
Careless Driving Resulting in Injury (Class 1 Traffic Offense) (2 counts)
Careless Driving Resulting in Death (Class 1 Traffic Offense) (2 counts)
When questioned by Colorado State Patrol, Avalos-Trujillo said he had fallen asleep behind the wheel. A trooper noted Avalos-Trujillo had bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech and the odor of alcohol coming from his mouth. Blood test results showed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .091 and marijuana (THC) level of 7.7ng (nanograms) in his system.
“While the defendant admitted to consuming alcohol prior to this crash, he failed to take responsibility for his actions that night,” Deputy District Attorney Sherri Giger said. “Parents should never have to bury their children and this defendant robbed two families of getting to see their child graduate high school and start their career.”
Avalos-Trujillo faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.
“Audrey and Colton were about to begin their senior year of High School when this preventable tragedy occurred,” Senior Deputy District Attorney Meghan Gallo said. “While no sentence will bring these children back to their parents, I hope this conviction brings some closure to Audrey and Colton’s friends and family.”
Sentencing is set for July 14, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.
“Every death caused by a drunk or drugged driver is 100% preventable,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “This defendant made the decision to drink, smoke and get behind the wheel. With that selfish decision, he stole the lives of two kids.”
Other case information:
Arrest date: August 6, 2022
Conviction date: May 5, 2023
On Thursday, April 13, 2023, bond was increased to $750,000 cash or surety for William “Lilly” Whitworth, the defendant facing multiple charges following an investigation into threats involving schools in Colorado Springs Academy District 20.
On Monday, April 10, 2023, a staff member in the Elbert County Jail notified the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office that the defendant indicated if able to bond out, the defendant would still try to carry out the original plans of a mass shooting.
The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office was notified of this information on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, and filed a motion that day to increase bond and asked for additional protections in the mandatory protection order.
A hearing was held Thursday where a judge modified the cash or surety bond amount to $750,000 from $75,000. The mandatory protection order conditions were also modified to include GPS monitoring and no contact with any public or private school property/institution in the State of Colorado.
The defendant remains in-custody in the Elbert County Jail on the following charges:
CRIMINAL ATTEMPT TO COMMIT MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE (2 COUNTS)
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF
MENACING
INTERFERENCE WITH STAFF, FACULTY, OR STUDENTS OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
A preliminary hearing is scheduled on May 3, 2023. As a reminder, criminal charges are merely accusations against a defendant. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.