AMARILLO POLICE DEPARTMENT
MEDIA/PUBLIC RELEASE
DATE: December 22, 2021
TIME: 7:39PM
CASE NUMBER: 21-522674
INCIDENT TYPE: Fatal accident 500 W St. Francis
OFFICER SUBMITTING RELEASE: Sgt. DelFierro-Traffic Investigation unit; Sgt. Burr-PIO
DETAILS: Update March 22, 2024
The suspect in this horrible crash claiming the lives of 5 family members, out looking at Christmas lights, has been sentenced to prison. Larry Rolen received a guilty verdict on all 5 victims of the Colin family and has been sentenced to 45 years in prison. We know the surviving family members can never have their loved ones back, but they now have some peace in knowing Mr. Rolen was held responsible for his actions. This also serves as a reminder that we all have a duty to drink responsibly and make the right decision when going out in public and having any amount of alcohol. This terrible crash was completely avoidable had Mr. Rolen made the choice to get a sober ride. We need everyone to remember to get a sober ride any time you are going to be out and have alcohol. It is not worth the risk, just ask the Colin family. What should have been a beautiful family outing to enjoy Christmas lights before the holiday turned into the worst day of the rest of the family’s lives.
Thank you to the APD officers on patrol that night and the investigators from the Traffic Investigation unit for working hard to obtain all the evidence needed to build this case for trial. Thank you to the 47th District Attorney’s office, the Judge and jury for your time and due diligence in the trial.
Update-12-28-2021-
The suspect driver in this incident is Larry Rolen, Male, birthday 12/05/67, and he has been arrested and booked in the Potter County Jail. His charges include 4 counts of Intoxicated Manslaughter and 1 Count of Intoxicated Assault. The original charges were filed before the fifth victim died from her injuries. Additional charges are pending.
Update 12-24-2021-
The 23-year-old female victim who was taken to the hospital in this accident has died. The victims in this accident are Andrea Aguirre, female 23, Angelica Colin, female, 46, Raul Colin, male, age 88, Teresa Colin, female, age 85, and Raul Perez Colin, male, 35. The driver of the suspect vehicle is still in the hospital. This case is still under investigation by the Traffic Investigation Unit.
-Original Release-
On Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at 7:39PM, Officers were dispatched on a major accident on the 500 block of W. St. Francis. When officers arrived, they found a Nissan Altima occupied by 5 individuals, had been traveling west bound on St. Francis. The Nissan was struck head on by a Chevrolet 2500 pickup, which had been traveling East bound in the West bound lanes. 4 of the occupants of the car were pronounced deceased at the scene. A White female, 23 and the driver of the suspect vehicle, were transported to an area hospital with life threatening injuries. Justice of the Peace Robert Taylor responded to the scene and autopsies were ordered for the victims. The victims next of kin have been notified. This case is under investigation by the Amarillo police Traffic Investigation Unit.
