Monster motorist Vitalie Oprea, 47, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempting to run down two women in Arapahoe County - an act described as a "bias-motivated hate crime," 18th Judicial District prosecutors said Wednesday.
“I drove at the women because I saw them kissing and they were lesbians and I wanted to kill them,” Oprea told a police officer.
The crime occurred Feb. 19, 2023, near the intersection of East Arapahoe Road and South Liverpool Street. Oprea had taken his parents' auto without permission. He fled the crime scene and was arrested later in the day in Arvada.
Prosecutors said:
"Oprea began yelling at and making obscene gestures toward the women before making a U-turn and driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of East Arapahoe Road in an apparent attempt to get closer to them. Fearing for their safety, the women ran into a grassy area near Grandview High School to escape.
"Witnesses reported Oprea drove over a curb, onto a sidewalk, and across a grassy area toward the women. The women were eventually able to get into a Ram pickup truck, which Oprea then rammed with his vehicle. Oprea exited his car, approached the passenger side of the truck, kicked the vehicle, opened the door, and attempted to pull one of the women out."
Oprea pleaded guilty to Attempted First-Degree Murder After Deliberation, along with a violent hate crime sentence enhancer.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.