On October 28, 2023, at 11:09 PM, CSPD was notified of a two-vehicle crash on North Academy Boulevard at the intersection of East Platte Avenue. One of the passengers was ejected from the vehicle and was deceased on the scene. On October 30, 2023, the El Paso County Coroner’s officer conducted an autopsy on the deceased passenger and identified her as 24-year-old Mar’Layza West.
Throughout the investigation, detectives with the CSPD Major Crash Team (MCT) determined the southbound vehicle was driving recklessly when the crash occurred. Based on the investigative findings, an arrest warrant was obtained for 23-year-old Jacinto Gonzalez-Perez of Colorado Springs.
Mr. Gonzalez-Perez subsequently turned himself in at the El Paso County Jail on January 26, 2024, and was charged with Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault.
Original Release
On October 28, 2023, at 11:09 PM, CSPD was notified of a two-vehicle crash on North Academy Boulevard at the intersection of East Platte Avenue. One of the passengers was ejected from the vehicle and was deceased on the scene. Emergency personnel transported the other occupants of both vehicles to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Based on this information the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Major Crash Team responded to the scene and assumed responsibility for the investigation.
During their investigation, it was determined that an SUV was traveling on north Academy Boulevard, attempting to turn left onto westbound East Platte Avenue. A car was traveling southbound on North Academy Boulevard, entering the intersection. The two vehicles collided in the intersection and one of the passengers of the SUV was ejected. Speed is considered a factor in this investigation.
On October 30, 2023, the El Paso County Coroner’s officer conducted an autopsy on the deceased passenger and identified her as 24-year-old Mar’Layza West.
This is the 45th traffic fatality in Colorado Springs this year. At this time last year, there were 49 traffic fatalities. In the last 365 days there have been 50 traffic fatalities in Colorado Springs.