CENTENNIAL, CO - Back in 2019, then 21-year-old Oghaleoghene Atunu, a black man, was arrested and charged with several crimes, including first-degree attempted murder in a hit-and-run crash that investigators believed to be "deliberate."
When he was initially arrested, he also faced charges related to reckless driving and leaving the scene of a crash. The hit-and-run left two white boys, 11 and 12 years old, injured.
The Colorado State Patrol stated that additional charges were filed after investigators in conjunction with the Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office found evidence that suggests the crash was intentional.
Three boys were walking westbound on the sidewalk of East Fair Place in Arapahoe County when two of them were hit by a 2004 Buick Rendezvous SUV.
Atunu was the driver and after receiving a tip from a citizen, investigators were able to locate him and the vehicle.
He faced three counts of attempted first-degree murder; two counts of attempted first-degree assault; two counts of child abuse; one count of first-degree assault; one count of vehicular assault; one count of failure to notify police of an accident; one count of leaving the scene without providing required information after striking unattended property; one count of reckless driving; one count of driving a vehicle when a driver's license was expired one year or less; and one count of failure to observe/disregard a traffic control device.
He, however, did not face any charges of a hate crime. One of the young victims was rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. The other boy walked away with minor injuries.
Surveillance footage shows Atunu circling the area before slowly pulling up behind the kids and then running down two of them before fleeing the scene. Despite that evidence, it was concluded that he would not face a hate crime charge.
The arrest affidavit said that Atunu admitted to running into the boys, but claimed he had "lost control" of the vehicle. He said that he was "scared and drove away."
According to reports, some argue that there was no evidence that Atunu targeted the boys because of their race. However, others insist that it is about consistency, arguing that "if the races were reversed, it would automatically be considered a racial hate crime."
People also claimed that the media was providing biased coverage. On X, which back then was Twitter, one user wrote, "Never get the same coverage. Maybe get 16 hours of community service." Another commented, "If the races were reversed, it would make nationwide headlines."
At the time, Colorado State Patrol Chief Matthew Packard said, "This case is a prime example of the incredible skills and untiring determination our members have every day to ensure Colorado is as safe as possible." He added, "Without a doubt, everyone involved in this investigation is working to ensure the demands of justice are met."
When he was initially arrested, he also faced charges related to reckless driving and leaving the scene of a crash. The hit-and-run left two white boys, 11 and 12 years old, injured.
The Colorado State Patrol stated that additional charges were filed after investigators in conjunction with the Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office found evidence that suggests the crash was intentional.
Three boys were walking westbound on the sidewalk of East Fair Place in Arapahoe County when two of them were hit by a 2004 Buick Rendezvous SUV.
Atunu was the driver and after receiving a tip from a citizen, investigators were able to locate him and the vehicle.
He faced three counts of attempted first-degree murder; two counts of attempted first-degree assault; two counts of child abuse; one count of first-degree assault; one count of vehicular assault; one count of failure to notify police of an accident; one count of leaving the scene without providing required information after striking unattended property; one count of reckless driving; one count of driving a vehicle when a driver's license was expired one year or less; and one count of failure to observe/disregard a traffic control device.
He, however, did not face any charges of a hate crime. One of the young victims was rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. The other boy walked away with minor injuries.
Surveillance footage shows Atunu circling the area before slowly pulling up behind the kids and then running down two of them before fleeing the scene. Despite that evidence, it was concluded that he would not face a hate crime charge.
The arrest affidavit said that Atunu admitted to running into the boys, but claimed he had "lost control" of the vehicle. He said that he was "scared and drove away."
According to reports, some argue that there was no evidence that Atunu targeted the boys because of their race. However, others insist that it is about consistency, arguing that "if the races were reversed, it would automatically be considered a racial hate crime."
People also claimed that the media was providing biased coverage. On X, which back then was Twitter, one user wrote, "Never get the same coverage. Maybe get 16 hours of community service." Another commented, "If the races were reversed, it would make nationwide headlines."
At the time, Colorado State Patrol Chief Matthew Packard said, "This case is a prime example of the incredible skills and untiring determination our members have every day to ensure Colorado is as safe as possible." He added, "Without a doubt, everyone involved in this investigation is working to ensure the demands of justice are met."
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Comments
2023-10-16T16:09-0400 | Comment by: Curtis
Just more proof that only 5% of the US population (black males aged 12-45) cause HALF the violent crime in this country!! It's not a race problem....it's a problem RACE!!