Letter from the 17th Judicial District DA - Received November 22, 2025
TPD's News Release
The Thornton Police Department has activated the 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) to investigate a fatal crash involving multiple vehicles that occurred on April 23 at 104th Avenue and McKay Road.
The preliminary investigation indicates that around 4:40 p.m., an officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle that was speeding. The driver did not yield to the officer’s emergency lights and sirens, continuing eastbound on 104th Avenue. The officer deactivated their emergency lights, and shortly after, the vehicle crashed into multiple other vehicles near the intersection.
The driver of the vehicle that failed to yield, a 17-year-old male, died at the scene. His name is being withheld pending positive identification by the Adams County Coroner’s Office and notification of next of kin. A total of six individuals were transported to the hospital, including one person who remains in critical condition.
Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure transparency, the CIRT was contacted to assist with the investigation. This is standard protocol in incidents involving serious injury or death following police contact. The independent investigation helps ensure that all facts and evidence are thoroughly documented and reviewed.
The intersection was closed for the duration of the investigation and reopened to traffic around 12:30 a.m. Our thoughts are with everyone involved in this incident as the investigation moves forward. We appreciate our community’s patience and understanding as investigators work to determine the full circumstances surrounding this incident.
TPD's Response to Media Inquiries
This was not a pursuit. The involved officer, a member of our Traffic Unit, was conducting speed enforcement in an unmarked Ford Explorer at the 4200 block of East 104th Avenue (Grandview Ponds Open Space Trail).
As part of our commitment to improving roadway safety, the Traffic Unit uses both marked and unmarked vehicles. Unmarked vehicles are particularly effective at identifying reckless driving, excessive speeding, and other hazardous behaviors that may go unnoticed when drivers see marked patrol cars. This proactive strategy helps the department address dangerous driving patterns, reduce crashes, and prevent injuries on our roads.