Early Morning Robbery Ends In Central El Paso Deadly Wreck

A 17-year-old driver is facing charges and the passenger in his car is dead, following a high-speed chase that began with a robbery.

David Cerrato faces two counts of robbery and one count of evading arrest or detention resulting in death.

Police said David Cerrato and another man robbed a convenience store in the 300 block of South St. Vrain at around 2 a.m.

An unmarked police vehicle spotted the suspect’s car, a 1985 Mercury Cougar, in the area of the robbery, and called for a marked unit to stop it, according to police.

When the marked unit turned on its emergency lights, police say Cerrato sped away, slamming against a support pillar at the intersection of Delta and Gateway North.

Cerrato’s passenger died at the scene. Police have not identified him.

Cerrato was taken to University Medical Center for treatment.

Police say this is the 30th deadly traffic crash of the year, compared to 31 at the same time in 2010.