Share this @internewscast.com

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — A man accused of killing a pedestrian in a hit-and-run last week has been arrested in Lakewood, police said Wednesday.

Jimmy Lee Chavez, 40, of Commerce City, is suspected in the deadly hit-and-run that occurred Feb. 23 near the intersection of Kipling Street and West 23rd Avenue.

A Medina Alert was issued for Chavez and his vehicle, a Chevy Camaro with Colorado license plate DWB-P87, following the deadly crash.

lakewood hit-and-run_feb 23 2024.jpg

Lakewood Police Department

It wasn’t only Tuesday that Lakewood police agents were able to track down the suspect to a home in Commerce City, where he was arrested and taken to jail.

The Camaro, which sustained heavy front-end damage as well as damage to the windshield, has not been found. Police said it is also missing the driver’s side headlight.

Additionally, police said in a news release Wednesday that the license plate of the suspect vehicle may have been removed.

If anyone has any information about the vehicle, they are asked to call the Lakewood Police Department at 303-980-7300 and to ask for Detective Moffat.

Court records show Chavez has had run-ins with law enforcement in Colorado since 1999. At the time, he was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs. Other charges over the years include first-degree criminal trespass, felony theft, contempt of court, shoplifting, disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia, second-degree kidnapping, third-degree assault, carrying a concealed weapon, among others.

“He was always willing to share anything he had”

The victim, 29-year-old Terre Engdahl, of Lakewood, was a parafencer and competed with the Denver Fencing Center where he won several awards.

“Even though he’s gone, I have a smile on my face, because you can’t help it when you think about every time he walked in the door,” said Jataya Taylor, a friend of Engdahl’s and fellow parafencer, over the weekend.

Taylor and Engdahl met a year and a half ago when Taylor began training as a wheelchair fencer. A Marine veteran, Taylor lost her leg in a training accident.

After meeting Engdahl on her first day at the center, Taylor said he freely shared with her his fencing wheelchair.

“Our chairs are a part of our personality and we get protective over our adaptive equipment,” said Taylor. “But Terre’s like, ‘No, you sit in it, you fence!’ He was always willing to share anything he had.”

With the upcoming para-nationals and Paralympic trials, Taylor said the team is now focused on honoring Engdahl’s memory.

Denver 7+ Colorado News Latest Headlines | February 28, 11am


D7 follow up bar 2460x400FINAL.png

What do you want Denver7 to follow up on? Is there a story, topic or issue you want us to revisit? Let us know with the contact form below.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Man Selling Rolex Accidentally Shoots Woman While Displaying Gun: Police

Left inset: Leonardo Amezcua (Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: The Rolex…

Conservative Judges Clash Over Alien Enemies Act Case

Left: James Ho is taking the oath during a Senate Judiciary Committee…

Indiana Man Fatally Injures Girlfriend in Front of Young Daughter

An Indiana man is facing charges for shooting his girlfriend in the…

Woman Reportedly Drives Jeep Through Multiple Cities, Injuring 11

Inset: Rachele Ricklefs (Macomb County Prosecutor”s Office). Background: The Walmart where Ricklefs…

Gainesville resident detained after assaulting security guard at Shands

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Lavell Lorenzo Lawrence Strong, 29, was arrested…

Police Issue Warning Following Increase in Counterfeit Currency

South Australian police have issued a warning over a surge in counterfeit…

Illinois Man Accused of Horrific Murders of Parents

A 35-year-old Illinois man has been charged with the murders of his…

Florida Receives $13.6 Million in Federal Funding to Enhance Immigration Enforcement

Press release from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles…

QuikTrip Dispute Over Right-of-Way Escalates to Tragedy, Police Report

Inset from left to right: Alfred Jackson Jr. and Olivia Guster (Denton…

Woman Allegedly Sets Ex’s House Ablaze After Being Stood Up for Concert, Police Report

Background: Peek Road in Hartselle, Ala. (Google Maps). Inset: Amy Beth Taylor…

Mother-in-Law Allegedly Hired Hit on Law Professor Son-in-Law; Jury Misconduct May Lead to Her Release

After nearly three weeks of testimony, a jury swiftly reached a verdict…

Family Secures Significant Compensation from Agency Following Son’s Tragic Passing

Noah Cuatro smiles in a photograph (GoFundMe). Los Angeles County will compensate…