COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The man believed to have intentionally caused a deadly crash before stealing a vehicle and fleeing the scene Sunday in Colorado Springs has been arrested and the stolen vehicle recovered.
Nathaniel Stager, 25, was arrested Monday by Castle Rock police for investigation on first-degree murder, assault, vehicular homicide and motor vehicle theft charges, Colorado Springs police said Tuesday morning.
According to police, Stager grabbed the wheel of a vehicle Sunday and steered it into oncoming traffic. Three vehicles were involved in the crash on Powers Blvd. near Highway 24. Paul Gannarelli, 77, of Colorado Springs was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
Police said Stager fled from the scene of the crash and stole a Suburban, which they said Tuesday had been recovered in Colorado Springs after Stager’s arrest.
In addition to the previously-listed charges, Stager also faces one count of possession of a weapon by a previous offender. Court records show he had another open warrant out of El Paso County filed last month on drug possession, weapon possession and obstructing a peace officer charges.
This is the 18th homicide of the year investigated by Colorado Springs police, who say that the investigation remains active. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call police at 719-444-7000.
