Aurora police have identified the 17-year-old driver of a Chevrolet Camaro killed early Monday when the driver of a Ford Expedition slammed into his vehicle as Juan Carlos Dominguez-Palomino.
The driver of the Expedition, whom police have not identified, is still in the hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening.
He “will not be arrested or charged until he is released,” said Aurora police spokesman Frank Fania.
Alma Sanchez, a cousin of the victim, said the teenager was ready to graduate from high school in May and had dreams of becoming an auto mechanic.
“His dad had just brought him in a new set of tools,” Sanchez said. “They’re still sitting right by the front door.”
Dominguez-Palomino, who was on spring break from Aurora West College Preparatory Academy, was driving home from a friend’s house, where they were looking over a car they were going to work on, when the crash happened.
The 1999 Camaro that Dominguez-Palomino drove was his pride and joy, Sanchez said.
“He was a very good kid, a noble kid,” Sanchez said.
He is survived by his mother, Blanca Palomino, and his father, Sergio Dominquez; a sister, Jenny, 13; and a brother, Sergio, 8.
Aurora police said the crash happened at 12:16 a.m. at the corner of East Colfax Avenue and Dayton Street.
The driver of the Expedition was heading east on Colfax when, witnesses said, it blew through a red light and hit the Camaro, according to Aurora Police Lt. Bret Jeans.
Dominguez-Palomino was pronounced dead at the scene.
Excessive speed and alcohol are suspected to have contributed to the crash, Jeans said.
Colfax Avenue was shut down for about five hours for investigation and cleanup.
Family members and friends of Dominguez-Palomino gathered along the busy avenue Monday, leaving flowers and other mementos, creating an ad hoc memorial site.
Dan Boniface: 303-954-1104, dboniface@denverpost.com or twitter.com/danielboniface