Police Officer Hit and Run; Deputy Alexis Hein-Nutz killed in fatal hit-and-run crash north of Greeley
The victim of the fatal hit-and-run crash with illegal immigrant north of Greeley has been identified as Weld County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Alexis Hein-Nutz of North of Greeley. Alexis was said to have been riding her motorcycle to work when the collision occurred.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Octavio Gonzalez-Garcia, a 37 or 38 years old and residing in the country illegally, as evidenced by a falsified Green Card and a fake Social Security Card recovered from his vehicle.
Gonzalez-Garcia made no attempt to provide Alexis aid despite her obvious injuries. Evidence collected shows Gonzalez-Garcia was intoxicated at the time of the crash. He ran from the scene of the crash and hid in a nearby cornfield.
According to a statement from the Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams, Alexis was born in Bismarck, North Dakota, and it had been a childhood ambition to one day serve others as a peace officer. Alexis was recruited in November of 2018 and assigned as a detentions deputy at the Weld County Jail. She joined the ranks at age 21 and was approaching her 25th birthday by one week.
Sheriff Reams described her as a hard worker, a caring deputy and a positive force for the agency. He continued that he shares in his deputies’ grief and in their anger over Alexis senseless and tragic passing. But they are a family, and will get through this painful event together.
Gonzalez-Garcia evaded capture despite the efforts of deputies, including three K9 handlers and a drone pilot, the Colorado State Patrol, Eaton Fire, the Greeley Police Department, and the Denver Police Department, which sent its helicopter Air 1 to aid in the search.
The authorities are requesting the public’s assistance in locating Gonzalez-Garcia, who is on the run, and in commemorating Alexis’s life.
Residents along the Colo. 392 corridor, from the crash site at AA Street and Weld County Road 37 west to Weld Road 29 and north to Weld Road 72, are asked to review their security cameras for film of suspicious individuals between 8:30 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Gonzalez-Garcia is characterized as a somewhat overweight Hispanic male in his forties who stands approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall. Last observed sporting a dark blue shirt, blue jeans, and white footwear.
Anyone with information regarding this inquiry is encouraged to contact the Colorado State Patrol at (303) 239-4501. Refer to case number 3A221639. You may maintain anonymity.
Through the 501(c)(3), the Weld County Sheriff’s Office is taking donations to aid the family. The public may make a tax-deductible contribution to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office Posse with Deputy Alexis Hein-name Nutz’s included in the notes.
Send or deliver checks to the Weld County Sheriff’s Office, 1950 O Street, Greeley, Colorado 80631. Include your name, address, and telephone number in order to receive a tax letter.
The police request that the Hein-Nutz family and the deputies be given privacy to grieve.
Call the Weld County Sheriff’s Office at (970) 356-4015 or Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS if you have any information regarding this or any other crime (8477). Additionally, tips can be sent via the Crime Stoppers website, www.crimestoppers.com. Those who provide Crime Stoppers with information that leads to the arrest and charging of a suspect(s) may be eligible for a monetary reward.
The Colorado State Patrol is leading the investigation with the assistance of the Weld County Sheriff’s Office.
