Denver Homicide Suspect Located in Dawson County, Passenger Deceased
March 9, 2025 (Gothenburg, Neb.) — The Nebraska State Patrol located the suspect of a Denver homicide and found a passenger suffering a medical emergency Sunday morning in Dawson County. The suspect was considered armed and dangerous.
NSP was informed this morning that a person wanted in connection with a homicide in Denver was believed to be traveling in a Nissan Rogue on Interstate 80 near Gothenburg. At approximately 9:25 a.m., a trooper located the vehicle and began a pursuit. The suspect refused to stop and fled northbound into Gothenburg.
The pursuit continued for approximately 25 minutes on county roads in Dawson County before stop sticks were successfully deployed, bringing the vehicle to a stop in the ditch on Highway 30 just east of Gothenburg. The driver and passenger refused to exit the vehicle and crisis negotiators responded to the scene.
After numerous attempts to make contact, troopers observed the female passenger to be having what appeared to be a medical emergency. Troopers and deputies quickly approached the vehicle and removed both the driver and the passenger, who were both non-responsive.
Narcan was administered to both the driver and the passenger. The female passenger was transported to Gothenburg Health Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The male driver, identified as Augustine Vega, 36, of Colorado Springs, was flown to Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, where he remains at this time.
No law enforcement officers discharged their weapons during this incident. Officers did locate at least one firearm inside the vehicle. The South Central Area Law Enforcement Services (SCALES) task force has been asked to investigate the incident. The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Gothenburg Police Department, Cozad Police Department, Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department, Dawson County Attorney, and LifeNet helicopter all assisted in this response.
NSP is coordinating with the Denver Police Department on the ongoing homicide investigation.