Man dies in hit-and-run accident; suspect dies later after high-speed chase

One person was killed Sunday night in a horrific collision in eastern El Paso County, and the man responsible for the crash later died when a car he stole at the scene rolled over.

The Colorado State Patrol has yet to release the suspect's name, because investigators haven't located his next-of-kin, said Sgt. Bryan Lyons.

At about 6 p.m., the 21-year old driver failed to stop at the intersection of Colorado 94 and Peyton Highway, five miles west of Ellicott. He hit a Chevy Corsica driven by Raul Cardoza, throwing Cardoza from the car and killing him. Cardoza's wife and two children were taken to Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.

Seconds after the accident, the young man thought to have caused the accident stole a tan Land Rover from a passing motorist who had stopped to help.

The hit-and-run suspect fled the area, followed briefly by a motorist who had seen the collision, at speeds of up to 100 mph.

After failing to negotiate a curve on Hanover Road near Old Pueblo Road, the suspect was ejected from the Land Rover as it rolled twice.

A report by the Colorado State Patrol said the rollover happened 30 minutes after the initial collision.

Investigators won't know for several weeks if drugs or alcohol were involved. Lyons said there was nothing in the suspect's vehicle, or the one he stole, to indicate he was under the influence.