Two dead following stolen vehicle traffic accident in Pueblo West

The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of two people involved in a traffic accident in Pueblo West Tuesday night.

Authorities responded to the intersection of S. McCulloch Blvd. and John Powell Blvd. around 9:15 p.m. Tuesday on a report of a Honda colliding with a Dodge Ram truck.

Catherine Tafoya, 40, of Pueblo was inside the Honda and pronounced dead at the scene.

The male driver of the Honda, Frankie Hernandez, also of Pueblo, was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Authorities say the driver of the Ram truck suffered minor injuries.

A preliminary investigation determined Hernandez was allegedly headed west on John Powell Boulevard at high speeds when he failed to stop at a stop sign, getting struck by the Dodge truck, traveling south on McCulloch.

Police later discovered Hernandez was featured on the Safe Streets Wanted Criminal Roundup on October 26, wanted on two no-bond warrants for vehicle theft. They also discovered the 1992 Honda had been stolen out of Colorado Springs prior to the accident and located a handgun in Hernandez’s possession at the time.

Investigators are now looking into whether drugs, alcohol, and speed are a true factor in this accident.