Charles Hundley

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Service Record

Brighton Colorado Police Department

Rank Officer
Dates of Service Ended January 2022.[1]
Last Known Status Terminated[1]

Incident Reports

2021 Deaths of Dulce Castro and Gustavo Mosqueda

On October 26, 2021, Hundley was dispatched to a report of a suspicious vehicle. Hundley found Nicholas Villarini and a passenger, who were sleeping in a stolen car in a residential neighborhood. Hundley gathered the vehicle occupant's information and waited in his patrol vehicle for backup. When another officer arrived and attempted to block in the stolen vehicle, Villarini sped away, with officers in pursuit. Villarini's car struck another vehicle, killing the passenger, Dulce Castro. Villarini continued, and Gustavo Mosqueda was struck and killed.[1][2]

Villarini was arrested on charges including two counts of first-degree murder.[1]

Department policy does not "generally" authorize pursuits for property crimes.[1][3]

The initial interaction and chase were captured on the officer's body-worn camera and dashcam video.[4][1]

Response Timeline

On October 26, 2021, Hundley was placed on paid administrative leave.[5]

In January 2022, an external investigation determined that there was no reason to chase Villarini, as "there was no violent felony crime being committed or other act of violence that required the suspect to be immediately pursued".[1]

In January 2022, Hundley was fired for a lack of concern for public safety and failure to discontinue the dangerous pursuit.[1][5]

In Feburary 2022, the Colorado State Patrol completed its investigation, which has not been publically released.[1]

On May 26, 2022, the District Attorney announced that they would not be filing charges against Hundley.[6]

On December 9, 2022, Villarini pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of DUI vehicular assault.[7]

On January 26, 2023, Villarini was sentenced to 40 years in state prison.[8]

LEO Ratings

References