5 people crushed after SUV topples over doing donuts in Colorado Springs, driver charged

Five people were seriously injured after the SUV they were practicing donuts in toppled over, crushing them in a Colorado parking lot Sunday night. 

The Colorado Springs Police Department has since arrested the driver, 19-year-old Marisol Wentling. Wentling currently faces vehicular assault charges, the Colorado Springs Police Department shared with USA Today. 

Officers responded to reports of a vehicle rollover, arriving at the parking lot around 10:18 p.m. 

They discovered that the individuals present had met up at the specific location to do donuts, a maneuver where a driver deliberately spins the vehicle in a circle while letting the rear wheels spin freely without gaining traction. 

When doing donuts, extreme force is applied to the accelerator and the steering wheel causing the car to spin in a small circle, according to Motor Extras. 

Wentling was doing donuts in the parking lot as five people hung out of the car’s windows, police said. The car rolled over and top of the individuals hanging out of the car. 

Multiple people were taken to local hospitals with “serious life-threatening injuries” as a result of all the reckless driving. Two people were treated and later released from the hospital, while three remain hospitalized in serious but stable condition, a police spokesperson said Tuesday.

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Vehicle rollover still under investigation after 5 people crushed

A police spokesperson was unsure whether there was a crowd on scene or the ages of those present at the time of the vehicle rollover, but any witnesses they were currently speaking with or have spoken to are part of “our active investigation.” 

The incident is still under investigation, police reported. 

Anyone with information or is a witness to the investigation has been asked to contact the department at (719)-444-7000. If you wish to remain anonymous 

You may call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719)- 634-7867 or 1-800-222-8477 if you wish to remain anonymous.