CLIFTON - A Wheat Ridge man with a previous record has been charged with the murder of two teens after he crashed into their car on Interstate 70 while trying to escape state troopers.
According to the Colorado State Patrol, 42-year-old Patrick Strawmatt was driving erratically Thursday night along I-70 in Clifton. After receiving a report of this, police responded. Strawmatt then gestured inappropriately to the responding officers and fled, reaching speeds of 120 miles per hour.
At the same time, two 19-year-olds were driving along I-70 in a Saturn. Strawmatt's 4 Runner hit the teens' vehicle from behind forcing it to roll several times. Both teens were ejected.
The two teens, Jennifer Kois of Brighton and Jacob Brock of Eagle, were taken to St. Mary's Hospital where they were both pronounced dead.
Officers say it took the help of fire crews and over 30 minutes for Strawmatt to be pulled from his vehicle. He was also taken to St. Mary's Hospital where he was treated for what appeared to moderate injuries.
Strawmatt has been charged with two counts of first degree murder, four counts of vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and several other charges.
9WantsToKnow has learned that Strawmatt was involved in another high speed chase last month where he was allegedly drunk.
Park County Sherrif Fred Wegener tells 9NEWS that on February 15 he encountered Strawmatt in an altercation after a high speed chase.
Wegener says Strawmatt led deputies on the chase where he appeared to be drunk. Wegener tried to pull him over.
Strawatt would not stop and Wegener pulled in front of him in an effort to stop him. He says Strawmatt then drove his car into the sheriff's car causing $2,000 worth of damage.
As deputies were trying to get Strawmatt out of his car, Wegener says Strawmatt punched him in the face.
In that case, the Park County District Attorney charged Strawmatt with eluding police, second degree assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, driving without a license and DUI.
According to the Lafayette Police Department, Strawmatt is a former officer. He worked there from January 1987 to November 1994.
According to the Colorado State Patrol, 42-year-old Patrick Strawmatt was driving erratically Thursday night along I-70 in Clifton. After receiving a report of this, police responded. Strawmatt then gestured inappropriately to the responding officers and fled, reaching speeds of 120 miles per hour.
At the same time, two 19-year-olds were driving along I-70 in a Saturn. Strawmatt's 4 Runner hit the teens' vehicle from behind forcing it to roll several times. Both teens were ejected.
The two teens, Jennifer Kois of Brighton and Jacob Brock of Eagle, were taken to St. Mary's Hospital where they were both pronounced dead.
Officers say it took the help of fire crews and over 30 minutes for Strawmatt to be pulled from his vehicle. He was also taken to St. Mary's Hospital where he was treated for what appeared to moderate injuries.
Strawmatt has been charged with two counts of first degree murder, four counts of vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and several other charges.
9WantsToKnow has learned that Strawmatt was involved in another high speed chase last month where he was allegedly drunk.
Park County Sherrif Fred Wegener tells 9NEWS that on February 15 he encountered Strawmatt in an altercation after a high speed chase.
Wegener says Strawmatt led deputies on the chase where he appeared to be drunk. Wegener tried to pull him over.
Strawatt would not stop and Wegener pulled in front of him in an effort to stop him. He says Strawmatt then drove his car into the sheriff's car causing $2,000 worth of damage.
As deputies were trying to get Strawmatt out of his car, Wegener says Strawmatt punched him in the face.
In that case, the Park County District Attorney charged Strawmatt with eluding police, second degree assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, driving without a license and DUI.
According to the Lafayette Police Department, Strawmatt is a former officer. He worked there from January 1987 to November 1994.
