Lakewood Police Arrest Commerce City Man in Connection with Fatal Hit-and-Run

Lakewood police have apprehended a Commerce City man suspected of being involved in a fatal hit-and-run incident that claimed the life of a pedestrian on February 23.

The tragic incident occurred at around 7:24 p.m. near the intersection of West 23rd Avenue and Kipling Street, prompting a Medina Alert as authorities launched a search for a Chevy Camaro believed to be involved in the collision.

The suspect, identified as Jimmy Lee Chavez, a 40-year-old resident of Commerce City, was taken into custody by the Lakewood Police Department following the incident.

The pedestrian who lost their life in the hit-and-run was identified as Terre Engdahl, a 29-year-old individual from Lakewood. Engdahl was known in the community as a talented parafencer and was a member of the Denver Fencing Center.

On February 27, law enforcement officers tracked down the suspect to a residence in Commerce City, leading to his arrest.

The Chevy Camaro suspected to be involved in the hit-and-run incident, bearing the license plate DWBP87, has yet to be located. Authorities suspect that the license plate may have been removed.

Police noted that the vehicle sustained significant front-end damage, with the driver’s side headlight missing and the windshield also damaged.

As of Wednesday, there are no pending charges in relation to the incident.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the suspect vehicle is urged to contact the Lakewood Police Department at 303-980-7300 and ask for Detective Moffat.