APD NEWS RELEASE - IMPAIRED DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER CRASHING INTO AURORA POLICE SQUAD CAR

Aurora Police are investigating after an impaired driver crashed into an Aurora Police squad car at the intersection of Indian Trail and Church Rd, Thursday evening.

At approximately 8:30 p.m., an APD officer on patrol was driving eastbound on Indian Trail, in a marked squad car, in normal traffic. As the officer approached Church Rd., a black Mercedes turned southbound and crashed into the front of the squad car. The officer was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries from the crash and released later in the evening. The driver of the Mercedes was also transported to the hospital.

Officers believed the driver of the Mercedes was impaired and requested an officer trained as a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) to respond to the hospital to evaluate the driver. A short time later, 23-year-old Julian Chavez was arrested and charged with Driving under the Influence and Failure to Yield Turning Left. Chavez was booked at the Aurora Police jail after being treated for his injuries at the hospital.

Aurora Police’s Traffic Unit responded to the scene to begin investigating the crash. Traffic investigators used state-of-the-art drone technology to create a 3D digital map of the scene that allows investigators to see specific details and measurements of the scene.

The intersection of Indian Trail and Church Rd. was shut down while traffic investigators reconstructed the accident. Aurora’s Emergency Management Agency provided light trucks and street blockades to assist with road closures and scene lighting. The roadway was reopened just before midnight.

Charges are not proof of guilt. The defendant listed herein is presumed innocent and is entitled to fair trials at which it is the burden of the State to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.