Robert Trujillo, age 51, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after dragging a Brighton police officer with his car during an arrest attempt in 2023. Trujillo entered a guilty plea to first-degree assault back in September, as reported by KDVR.
On Aug. 16, Trujillo was surrounded by law enforcement in the parking lot of Overland Trail Middle School, where he was wanted on a felony domestic violence warrant. In a bid to avoid arrest, he hit the gas and attempted to flee, resulting in Officer Alejandro Covarrubias being dragged and subsequently injured, based on body camera footage of the incident. "This was an extraordinarily dangerous situation," District Attorney Brian Mason described, as obtained by KDVR. Officer Covarrubias has since recovered and returned to duty.
Additional details reveal that Trujillo, after ramming into a patrol car, escalated the encounter by driving away with Officer Covarrubias clinging to the driver's side door, eventually causing a fracture in Covarrubias's hip after slamming into another car. Despite these dangerous maneuvers, Trujillo was captured after a short chase on foot once he crashed his vehicle, as 9News reported.
Brighton Police Chief Matthew Domenico, in recognition of the bravery and commitment of the officers involved, stated, "I am proud of the actions taken by Officer Covarrubias and all the members of the Brighton Police Department team who worked to get this dangerous criminal off the streets and into custody," according to 9News. He added his gratitude to the District Attorney's Office for their efforts in ensuring justice was served, and for Covarrubias's dedication to recover and rejoin the force in protecting the community.
In conclusion, the sentencing of Robert Trujillo brings closure to a violent encounter that could have ended far worse. The communal sigh of relief comes not only with Trujillo's incarceration but also the resilience of Officer Covarrubias, whose determination to overcome injury and return to service speaks volumes of the perils and perseverance inherent in law enforcement. This incident, as reported by The Denver Gazette, emphatically underscores the ever-present risks police officers face and their unwavering commitment to serve and protect.
