DRIVER SHOT BY DEPUTY REMAINS IN HOSPITAL

COUNTY» The ARAPAHOE driver of a stolen pickup shot by an Arapahoe County deputy remained in a hospital Thursday with injuries that are not life-threatening, and a passenger in the truck who fled on foot Wednesday night remains at large.

The shooting happened about 8 p.m. Wednesday at the IMT Cornerstar Ranch apartments, 16363 E. Fremont Ave., according to the sheriff’s office.

As deputies blocked in the truck, after the driver pulled into a parking spot, an attempt to detain the driver and two passengers turned violent. “The driver put the truck in gear and began ramming surrounding cars” in an attempt to flee, according to a news release. “A deputy became pinned between the stolen truck and a car, at which point a second deputy fired shots at the driver.”

“The driver was shot multiple times, and deputies were able to take him and one of two passengers into custody,” the release said. A second passenger fled. The deputy who was injured was treated at a hospital and released.

Sheriff’s commander guilty of careless driving resulting in death.

ADAMS COUNTY» A sheriff’s commander was convicted Wednesday of careless driving resulting in the death of an 85-year-old woman in a crash near Bennett.

John Paul Bitterman, 44, was on duty in an unmarked patrol vehicle driving west on East 88th Avenue at Colorado 79 when he ran a stop sign and collided with a Nissan Murano, according to a district attorney’s office news release.

Eira Saenz Sandoval, a passenger in the Nissan, died in the crash. Maria Del Refugio Corral Saenz, 58, the driver of the Nissan, was injured. Bitterman also was convicted of careless driving resulting in injury.

Evidence in the two-day trial showed that Bitterman’s overhead lights and siren were not on. Trial evidence showed that Bitterman was logging into his mobile computer while driving in the moments prior to the crash.