Denver homicide suspect captured near Gothenburg; passenger found dead
A Denver homicide suspect who was considered armed and dangerous was located near Gothenburg on Sunday, while the passenger of the vehicle was found dead, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.
By News Channel Nebraska
GOTHENBURG, Neb. - A Denver homicide suspect who was considered armed and dangerous was located near Gothenburg on Sunday, while the passenger of the vehicle has died, according to the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP).
Authorities were alerted that a person wanted in connection with a Denver homicide was traveling on Interstate 80 near Gothenburg in a Nissan Rogue. Around 9:25 a.m., NSP says a state trooper spotted the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to pull over, leading officers on a chase northbound into Gothenburg.
NSP says that the pursuit continued for approximately 25 minutes on county roads in Dawson County before troopers deployed stop sticks, bringing the vehicle to a stop in a ditch along Highway 30 just east of Gothenburg. Despite repeated commands, both the driver and passenger refused to exit the vehicle, prompting crisis negotiators to respond to the scene.
After multiple attempts to establish contact, NSP says troopers noticed the female passenger experiencing what appeared to be a medical emergency. Officers quickly approached the vehicle and removed both occupants, who were found unresponsive.
Narcan, which can reverse an opioid overdose, was administered to both people. NSP says that the female passenger was transported to Gothenburg Health Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The male driver, identified as 36-year-old Augustine Vega of Colorado Springs, was flown to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, where he remains at this time.
Officers located at least one gun inside the vehicle.
The South Central Area Law Enforcement Services (SCALES) task force has been called to investigate. Multiple agencies helped in the response, including the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Gothenburg Police Department, Cozad Police Department, Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department, Dawson County Attorney, and LifeNet helicopter.
NSP is working closely with the Denver Police Department as the homicide investigation continues.