Three 18-year-old men have been charged with first-degree murder, among other crimes, following the death of Colorado resident, Alexa Bartell. On April 19, Bartell was driving in the suburbs of Denver when a landscaping rock crashed through the windshield of her car. She ultimately died from her injuries sustained from the rock rather than the crash. The three teenagers, Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik, Joseph Koenig and Zachary Kwak, all face 12 counts altogether, including murder, as they are also alleged to have thrown rocks at other cars on the same night. Of the seven vehicles that were hit, three other people were injured.
Police arrested the three teenagers after an investigation. According to Jefferson County Public Schools, the three men are 12th graders. They have each been charged with one count of first-degree murder, as well as seven counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault in the second degree, and three counts of attempted assault in the second degree. They are currently being held without bond and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Following her death, Jefferson County District Attorney Alexis King said, “Based on the available facts and after careful legal analysis, we have filed charges and will now move forward with a criminal prosecution.” Karol-Chik has since admitted that he and Koenig had thrown rocks and even a statue at passing cars on at least 10 other days before Bartell’s death. The group used rocks taken from a Walmart parking lot. Bartell’s friend found her dead in her car, which had crashed into a field. Two other drivers suffered minor injuries, investigators said.
The individuals, Karol-Chik, Koenig and Kwak, will appear in court at the beginning of August. As of now, the investigation is ongoing, and it is unclear whether any additional individuals will be charged with crimes related to the incident.
Incidents such as this serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible behavior, particularly when living and driving in suburban areas. The actions of the teenagers have led to a death and prolonged pain for many individuals. It is essential that all individuals are conscious of the potential consequences of their actions, including the unintentional harm they may cause to others, and act accordingly.
