AURORA | Aurora police said a fast response with drones helped catch a man suspected of causing a fatal hit-and-run crash in northwest Aurora Friday night.
Officers were called to Peoria Street and East 13th Avenue at about 8 p.m. after reports of a serious car crash, Aurora police spokesperson Gabby Easterwood said in a statement.
An adult male ran from the scene into or near Nome Park after being confronted by a witness to the crash, prompting officers to set up a perimeter around the park, police said.
A police drone was launched and located a “heat signature,” emitted by the suspect, later identified as Jonathan Garcia, 19.
Garcia was tracked down and arrested by officers using a police dog.
Investigators said a Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by Garcia was traveling south on Peoria at a high rate of speed when it ran a red light at East 13th Avenue and struck a Volvo sedan traveling east.
The Volvo was hit in the middle of the intersection.
The adult male driver of the Volvo was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead shortly afterward. A 1-year-old infant in the car was transported to the hospital and remains in serious condition, police said.
Easterwood said police suspect Garcia was under the influence of drugs and possibly alcohol at the time of the crash.
Garcia was arrested and faces charges of reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident and vehicular homicide. He is being held without bond at the Arapahoe County jail.
The identity of the car crash victim will be released later by coroner officials.