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E-Scooter Rider Killed: Denver Police Searching For 4 People Seen In Stolen Car That Hit Christopher Patton

DENVER (CBS4) -- Denver police are looking for four people seen in a stolen car involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash. Christopher Patton, 26, was riding an electric scooter with a group of friends when he was hit and killed at the intersection of Arapahoe and 14th streets, near the Denver Center for Performing Arts, on Sept. 7.

chris patton cropped
Chris Patton (credit: Patton family)

Video of the crash was captured by Denver's HALO cameras and police said they were looking for a 2005-2010 silver two-door Chevrolet Cobalt.

During a news conference on Tuesday, police said they found the car -- and it had been reported stolen 24 hours before the crash. Now they are looking for three men and a woman seen with the car during that 24 hours.

Fatal Car Vs Scooter 1 (suspect car, from Crime Stoppers)
(credit: Crime Stoppers)

Cameras at a convenience store captured images of the four people getting out of the car, entering the store and then getting back into the car.

scooter hit and run men
(credit: Crime Stoppers)
scooter hit and run woman
(credit: Crime Stoppers)

"We're asking if you recognize yourself in these photos, or if anyone recognizes these four individuals to notify the Denver Police Department, as we would like to speak with these individuals and ask them questions," Sgt. Stephanie Linkus said Tuesday.

Investigators also shared video of the car captured 15 minutes before Patton was hit.

"The vehicle is shown pulling into the alley between Stout and California on 15th Street," Linkus stated. "This is right next to the AC Hotel downtown."

Chris Patton scooter hit and run denver
(credit: Denver Police)

"The vehicle pulls into this alley three individuals walk up to the vehicle. One of them opens the car door on the passenger side points and walks away from the vehicle," Linkus said. It's unknown why these individuals walked up to this vehicle, but we also asked if you recognize yourself in this video, or if anyone recognizes these parties or remembers anything from this evening to notify us as well."

"We would like to know if you can give us any information on who's driving this vehicle, or even a description of the driver or passenger or any occupants in this vehicle."

Patton was visiting Denver with a group of friends when the hit and run occurred.

Chris Patton photo 1
Chris Patton (left) in Denver (credit: Patton family)

"We spent that night sharing memories, laughing with one another, riding through downtown Denver," said Dezmond Frazier.

"It got to the corner of the street, turned left on Arapahoe, and that's when that dream quickly turned into a nightmare," said Sachal Jogi, a friend who was injured in the incident. "Last thing I remember was being on the scooter next to Chris, close to me, and I hear a car rev its engine really fast, aggressively, and he yells 'watch out.'"

In a separate press conference held by the family, friends, and attorneys working with the family, Jogi said he got hit so hard he doesn't remember being in the air. Patton, who was also hit, died from blunt force injuries, the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner said in September.

"That night he didn't deserve what happened," said Denzell Perry, Patton's brother. "That night, he didn't deserve to have his life end."
Family described Patton as a loving young man with an infectious smile. While living in Los Angeles, he mentored kids, worked as a camp counselor, and volunteered with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office after school program, his brother said.

"That night he didn't deserve what happened," said Denzell Perry, Patton's brother. "That night, he didn't deserve to have his life end."

Family described Patton as a loving young man with an infectious smile. While living in Los Angeles, he mentored kids, worked as a camp counselor, and volunteered with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office after school program, his brother said.

If he had not been killed, he would be celebrating his 27th birthday on Thursday.

Anyone with information is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867. There is now a $5,000 reward in this case.

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