Family of teen killed by Denver police want federal probe

The family of a 17-year-old girl who was shot to death by Denver police while driving a stolen car is calling for a federal civil rights investigation into her death.

Jessica Hernandez was killed Monday after police say she drove the car toward an officer, an account disputed by one of the teens in the car.

In a statement Friday, Hernandez’s parents said they want the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate her death and for U.S. Attorney John Walsh in Colorado to oversee the criminal investigation of the officers involved.

The family says it doesn’t trust Denver police to conduct a fair and timely investigation, and that the department has a history of exonerating its officers.

Walsh’s spokesman Jeff Dorschner says Walsh is aware of the request but won’t comment further.