Three high school students - all 18 years old - were arrested for throwing large rocks at at least seven vehicles on a Colorado highway last week. One such stone throwing claimed the life of a 20-year-old woman, identified as Alexa Bartell.
The suspects, identified as Joseph Koenig, Nicholas "Mitch" Karol-Chik and Zachary Kwak, were arrested at their parents' homes and face first-degree murder charges, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office announced.
Youths threw stones while driving
On the night of April 19, Alexa Bartell was driving her car on a Colorado highway when a large rock came through her windshield, striking and killing her, the sheriff's office said.
Prior to Bartell's death, six other vehicles in the area were also pelted with rocks. In two of these incidents, the drivers suffered minor injuries. Nathan Tipton, a Lyft and Uber cab driver - one of the four unharmed victims - commented to reporters:
When I found out that this series of events actually took the life of a young woman, I felt sorry for Alexa and her family. I was a little surprised. My wife was really affected (...) No one should lose their child because of a random act.... It is heartbreaking.
The sheriff's office indicated that forensic analysis and information from the public helped lead to the arrests. The suspects are expected to make their first court appearance on Thursday.
