Jury finds street racer guilty of murder in I-70 shooting

Heather Willard
·2 min read
2

DENVER (KDVR) — On Friday, a jury found a man guilty of murder in a 2022 Father’s Day weekend shooting that left a father of three dead on Interstate 70.

Street racer accused of murder testifies that I-70 shooting was self-defense

Jeremy Rocha, 22, has been in custody since June 23, 2022, according to court records, under a $2 million bond. He was charged with felony counts of:

  • First-degree murder after deliberation

  • First-degree murder with extreme indifference

  • Four counts of attempted first-degree murder with extreme indifference

  • A sentence enhancement of violent crime using a weapon

The jury found Rocha guilty of second-degree murder (a lesser charge under the first-degree murder after deliberation count), first-degree murder with extreme indifference, and all four attempted murder charges.

On Thursday, Rocha testified that he only shot at 37-year-old John Jaros because Jaros pointed a gun at him first. According to court records, Rocha fired his firearm nine times in two seconds on the night of June 18, 2022.

Jaros was shot and killed in what’s been described as a “street racing incident” on I-70 near East Colfax Avenue. Jaros was driving a Dodge pickup truck and was accompanied by his wife and three children. They were heading to a nearby campsite, according to investigators.

According to an arrest affidavit issued in 2022, street racers on I-70 were slowing down traffic, and one of the racers may have been “brake checked” by Jaros. Aurora police said at least four cars were racing that night.

Jaros has been remembered as a family man and assistant chief with the Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department. After Jaros’s death, the Glen Haven community rallied with donations and other support for the family.

Rocha’s sister spoke to FOX31 shortly after leaving the courtroom on Thursday.

“Everything that occurred that day was brought upon because of Jaros. So, him chasing my brother down. Flashing a gun right in his face. The only reason he (Rocha) ever pulled out his gun is, when a gun is pointed at you and you are looking down the barrel the only thing you will do is defend yourself when you have two seconds to think about it,” Jenna Rocha said.

Rocha is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, May 23.

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