Journalist From Belgium Identified As Victim Of Fatal Hit & Run In Westminster
WESTMINSTER, Colo. (CBS4) - A man killed in a hit-and-run in Westminster has been identified as a journalist visiting from Belgium.
Eric Van Coppenolle, 47, was hit by a car just after midnight Sunday near 87th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard in Westminster. He was in Denver as part of a month-long vacation in the U.S.
Police later arrested the suspected driver, Cory Norris, 21, of Westminster.
Investigators say they followed a trail of car fluid that leaked at the collision scene through neighborhoods to the parked car where they found Norris nearby. Police say Norris admitted he had been drinking and shouldn't have been driving.
"During an interview later, he again said yes he knew he was drunk and that he was driving and recalled hitting something but he didn't know what," police said in a statement.
Norris was arrested for suspicion of DUI, vehicular homicide and leaving the scene with death. He's out of custody on a $10,000 bond and due back in court Friday to be advised of the charges.
Vancoppenolle worked for Brussels News.
Statement Form Brussels News
Our colleague, Eric Van Coppenolle is deceased after a traffic accident. Eric was an editor at brusselnieuws.be, where he studied culture dossiers closely. He also worked for four years as a reporter flying at FM Brussel. He was an enthusiastic and great colleague.