Man Charged in Hit and Run Death of Motorcyclist (Ortiz)

NEWS RELEASE –

May 4, 2018

Contact: Ken Lane, 720-913-9025

MAN CHARGED IN HIT AND RUN DEATH OF MOTORCYCLIST

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann has formally charged a man in connection with the death of a motorcyclist last weekend.

Jonathan Ortiz (dob: 02-23-1979) is charged with one count of vehicular homicide-DUI (F3), one count of leaving the scene of an accident-death (F3), and one count of vehicular homicide-reckless (F4).  Charges were filed yesterday.

Just after midnight on April 28, 2018, Ortiz allegedly hit a motorcyclist at I-25 and the I-70 northbound ramp, then ditched his truck nearby before he was arrested. Upon contact, the police officer noticed the defendant exhibited signs of impairment, including loud speech that made no sense, a chemical odor to his breath, and bloodshot eyes.  Ortiz allegedly admitted to smoking crystal meth before the crash.  The 53-year-old victim did not survive.

The defendant is scheduled to appear on May 7 at 8:30 a.m. in courtroom 2300 for 2^nd advisement.

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