3 killed as car hits couple, stroller

Saturday, November 11th 2006, 2:25 pm

By: News On 6

DENVER (AP) A hit-and-run driver struck a couple crossing a street with a stroller, killing a woman and her two young children and injuring the youngsters' father, police said. Two men were later arrested.

Wreckage from the stroller was strewn across the busy intersection Friday night in the popular LoDo district of restaurants, clubs, stores and sports venues.

``I went down there and it was a well-lit street,'' said police spokesman Sonny Jackson. ``There was no excuse for it. It is one of the most horrific accidents we've had.''

The father was in stable condition at Denver Health Medical Center.

The license plate of the red pickup was knocked off in the crash, leading police to the vehicle's owner and to the arrests in neighboring Westminster, authorities said.

The parents were walking with their 4-year-old and 2-year-old children, crossing lawfully at a lighted intersection, Jackson said.

He said police didn't know how fast the truck was going, but witness Alice Maynard told the Rocky Mountain News it appeared to be going about 50 mph.

``It was really fast, and it hit this family and didn't even stop and didn't even slow down,'' Maynard told KUSA-TV.

Lawrence Trujillo, 36, was arrested on three counts of investigation of vehicle homicide, as well as leaving the scene of an accident and resisting arrest, police said. Eric Phil Snell, 35, was arrested on three counts of investigation of accessory to a crime.

Jail officials said they didn't know whether the suspects had lawyers.