Two pedestrians die in Lakewood; one may be homicide

LAKEWOOD – Two people died as the result of car-pedestrian incidents in Lakewood over

Joel Vargas-Ramirez

the holiday weekend and one driver is jailed without bond on suspicion of murder after police accused him of deliberately running down a person involved in a confrontation at a local nightspot.

Joel Vargas-Ramirez, 28, is in the Jefferson County Jail without bond after his arrest in the early hours of Saturday morning facing a possible first-degree murder charge after he allegedly ran down and killed an as-yet unidentified person following an argument inside an establishment in the 5400 block of West Alameda Avenue, according to LPD spokeswoman Sheridan Foster.

“It appears that during the argument, as one of the individuals was leaving the establishment they hit another one” of the people involved in the confrontation as the victim left the scene, according to Foster.

The victim was taken to an area hospital, but later died. Police have not yet provided the victim’s identity.

Police later located and arrested Vargas-Ramirez in connection with the death. He also faces charges of driving under the influence and driving under suspension. Police say Vargas-Ramirez is a “habitual traffic offender.” The investigation remains open and investigators want to talk to anyone with information about the incident and Foster urges witnesses to call Lakewood Police investigators at (303) 987-7111.

Foster said other charges could be filed as the case develops.

But police say charges are unlikely in a second pedestrian death, one that occurred Friday evening as the victim apparently stopped and kneeled down in front of an oncoming vehicle at West 17th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard.

“The pedestrian had dropped something and was kneeling down in the right lane of northbound Wadsworth to pick up the items, when the collision occurred” shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, according to LPD spokesman Ty Countryman.

The unidentified pedestrian was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, according to investigators.

Countryman said neither alcohol nor excessive speed are believed to be factors in the accident. And no charges are pending.

Results of toxicology tests conducted during an autopsy are pending.