WESTMINSTER, Colo. — Investigators are searching for a driver they believe allegedly intentionally struck and killed a man on Saturday evening.
The Westminster Police Department said officers at around 10:18 p.m. Saturday responded near Alcott and Zuni Streets and discovered the injured victim, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Police said the suspect accused of killing the victim left the scene before officers arrived.
Westminster PD also said they believe there was a disturbance between the suspect and victim, but didn’t say what led up to the incident.
Investigators on Sunday morning released photos of two vehicles believed connected to the hit-and-run.
The first vehicle is a black Dodge Ram truck with chrome wheels and a large sticker on the back driver’s side window. Westminster police said the truck has a work box and a pole sticking up from the bed. There was no license plate information available.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) issued a Medina Alert for the truck which included a new photo and the vehicle's Colorado license plate number: EEIA89.
The second vehicle “may be associated to the suspect” said police and it is described as an older model 2-door car.
Westminster PD said the vehicle appears white and tan colored with lowered aftermarket rims.
Westminster police ask anyone with information to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720 913 7867.
The identity of the deceased will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office, but the family of 52-year-old Robby Valanzuela has identified him as the victim in the deadly hit-and-run.
On Sunday evening, loved ones of Valanzuela held a candlelight vigil and balloon release in his memory near Alcott and Zuni Streets where the crash happened.
Westminster police are still looking for the Dodge Ram that they said left the scene before officers arrived.
“He said live each day as if it was your last. Commit to the fullest. And that's what we all intend to do for him,” said Yvette Valanzuela, Robby’s wife.
Yvette said her husband was a loving father of three daughters and grandfather of seven. She said he loved his Harley and his dog Snoopy.
Robby’s brother, Vinny Rodriguez, shared this statement on behalf of the family: “We're hoping for justice for my brother. And my family is hurt right now. And we're just praying for our strength as a family."
