Teen dies in Elbert County crash

A teenager from Littleton died after rolling his car during a high-speed pursuit in Elbert County Friday night, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

Nicholas J. Parrilli, 17, died at Swedish Medical Center. A passenger in the car, Tara E. Chrisner, 17, of Elizabeth, was hospitalized with serious injuries, officials said.

The state patrol said the driver refused to pull over for a traffic stop around 6:45 p.m., fleeing south on Elbert County Road 13 in a 2005 Ford Expedition. While swerving to avoid a tire deflating device put across the road, the driver lost control and the vehicle went off the road, rolling several times and striking a fence, officials said.

The driver, who wasn’t wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle, the state patrol said.

MP KILLED IN IRAQ

The Department of Defense late Friday identified a Fort Carson soldier killed this week in Iraq.

Pfc. Roy L. Jones III, 21, of Houston was assigned to the 984th Military Police Company, 759th Military Police Battalion, 43rd Area Support Group. Officials said he died Thursday in Diwaniyah, Iraq, after he was hit by small arms fire.

Jones joined the Army in March 2006 and was sent to Iraq six months later.

He had been awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Iraqi Campaign Medal.

Jones is the 201st Fort Carson soldier and the 10th from the 43rd Area Support Group to die in Iraq.

WEATHER BLISS

If there’s such a thing as a perfect spring day in the Rockies, today might be it.

The National Weather Service predicts sunny skies and a high of 79 degrees today in Colorado Springs, dropping to the high 40s overnight.

Of course, with the return of warm weather comes the chance of afternoon thunderstorms, and forecasters say a few storms are possible over the Front Range this afternoon and early evening.

Sunday could be even warmer, with a high of 81. A cold front is expected to cool things off for the first part of the week.

SAFE KIDS

Are dogs and bicycle crashes the biggest threats to kids?

Find out how to protect your youngster from both — and how to keep your dog from posing a threat to kids — at the Ruff and Ready pet and kid safety fair. It runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Palmer Park, 3650 Maizeland Road.

There will be a pet fair, with demonstrations of police and military dog units, dog training workshops, contests and more. A child safety fair will include dog bite prevention information, helmet safety and giveaways, car seat checks and more. It’s free, with donations accepted to benefit the Memorial Health System Pediatric Unit.

WISE ABOUT WILDFIRES

It seems like it’s fire season everywhere but in the Rockies, but don’t worry, our turn will come. Learn to prepare yourself and your home from wildfire at the Ute Pass Cultural Center, 210 E. Midland Ave. The session runs from 9 a.m. to noon today, with a fuel mitigation tour from 1 to 3 p.m.

For details visit www.rockymountainwildlandfire.info or call 687-2921.

MORE HAPPENINGS

-- The 7th annual Alex Hoag Run For Sunshine begins at 7 a.m. today, and the run/walk 5K starts at 8. It’s at Security Service Field, 4385 Tutt Blvd. Proceeds benefit the Proteus Syndrome Foundation. Visit www.alexhoagrun.org.

-- For a slower pace, there’s the Colorado Springs Arthritis Walk. Registration is at 9 a.m., followed by a 10 a.m. walk at America the Beautiful park, 126 Cimino Drive. Donations and fees support the Arthritis Foundation in prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseased. Registration required: www.csarthritiswalk.kintera.org or 1-800-475-6447.

-- At the free Hummingbird Festival, there will be activities for kids, crafts, hikes, a plant sale, food, music and more. It’s from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Starsmore Discovery Center, 2120 S. Cheyenne Canyon Road.

SPORTS

High school state girls tennis starts the day with finals in 4A in Pueblo and 5A in Boulder at 9 a.m.. Track regionals take place at Grace Center, Harrison, Limon and Garry Berry among other sites, girls soccer playoff games are at Cheyenne Mountain at 6 and St. Mary's (Grace Center) at 7. The Colorado Springs Metro League boys swimming finals are at Cheyenne Mountain at 9.

Air Force hosts Utah in baseball at 1.

The Colorado Rockies entertain Barry Bonds and the Giants at 6 p.m. on FSN (850 AMA) and the Sky Sox are home to Memphis at 5 on 1460 AM. In the NBA playoffs, Cleveland plays at New Jersey at 3 on ESPN and Phoenix is at San Antonio at 6 on ABC.

The Nextel Cup Dodge Avenger 500 is on Fox at 5 p.m. The PGA Players Championship is on NBC at noon and the LPGA's Michelob Ultra Open is at noon on ESPN2. Indianapolis 500 pole qualifying is on ESPN2 at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on ABC at 1. Other baseball games have the Cubs at Phillies at 1 p.m. on Fox and Royals at White Sox at 5 on WGN.