BOULDER

Driver remains in critical condition

A 26-year-old Lafayette man injured in a fiery, single-vehicle crash last week remained in critical condition at a Denver hospital Monday.

Jose Martinez-Torres suffered burns to more than 75 percent of his body and is in the intensive care unit, according to a spokesperson at University of Colorado Hospital.

On Friday, Martinez-Torres apparently lost control of a company utility truck on U.S. 36 at the north edge of Boulder, rupturing a gas tank that caused fire to quickly engulf the cab.

Passersby pulled Martinez-Torres from the burning truck just before the vehicle exploded.

Inmates arrested in contraband case

Two Boulder County Jail inmates were arrested Friday on suspicion of introducing or possessing contraband while in the jail.

Jail deputies were alerted to a problem Friday afternoon when inmates sounded the emergency alarm in the minimum-security module, where a female inmate was having difficulty breathing. Authorities subsequently took her and another inmate, Kathleen Ann Osborn, 45, of Longmont, to the hospital to be examined by doctors.

Both women apparently ingested drugs that deputies said were supplied by Linda Brunner, a 45-year-old Boulder woman who is serving a work-release sentence. Brunner allegedly brought drugs into the jail and gave them to Osborn and at least another inmate.

Jail Capt. Larry Hank said the case is under investigation, and inmates could face disciplinary action.

Argument over light escalates; knife pulled

A 41-year-old Boulder man is accused of brandishing a knife after an argument over a light fixture erupted.

Wesley Eugene Barnes was arrested on suspicion of felony menacing after police said he pulled out a 10-inch knife during a Friday fight.

The victim told police he met Barnes at his business, Foxey's Hair Salon at 1087 13th St., to discuss Barnes getting out of his lease early because his shop was failing, police reports said.

The victim told police he inquired about a light fixture that had been in the center ceiling of the salon and Barnes allegedly replied that he paid $3,000 for it and was taking it with him. He was told the lease forbade him taking items that were attached to the store, prompting Barnes to threaten the man's family and grab the knife, police reported.

The victim ran from the store and flagged down an officer for help.

Camera staff reports

June 4, 2002

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