Stolen Corvette Involved in Fiery, Fatal Crash in Otero County

On Tuesday, March 29, 2016, around 4:43 p.m., the Colorado State Patrol received a report of a reckless driver on Hwy 350 near Highway 71 in Otero County, Colorado. The reporting party stated a white Corvette tried to run her off the road. The reporting party turned off Highway 350 and went to Rocky Ford Police Department to file a complaint. 

The State Patrol responded to the area to look for the suspect vehicle. While searching the area, the Trooper located a crash on Highway 350 near mile post 48 involving a Warner Tractor and semi-trailer and a white Chevrolet Corvette. The Corvette was engulfed in flames in the eastbound lane. The semi had traveled down a steep embankment and rolled one quarter time onto its right side. The semi was also on fire but went out on its own. 

The investigation revealed the white 1994 Corvette was traveling eastbound and the black 2012 Peterbilt semi was traveling westbound. The Corvette then swerved into the path of the semi and collided head-on with it in the westbound lane. After impact, the Corvette was pushed backward (westbound) as it rotated and came to rest in the eastbound lane facing north. The semi continued southwest down the embankment and rolled onto its right side facing southwest. 

The semi driver, 25 year old Deangelo Johnson of Indianapolis, IN, was able to escape the burning truck on his own and was not injured. The driver of the Corvette died on scene and has not been identified.  The Corvette was confirmed stolen out of Trinidad Colorado. 

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. It is unknown if alcohol or drugs were a contributing factor.