04/18/2026
“He was a good man. He was the brother I never had.”
Today, our department is honoring the life of a Wheat Ridge business owner, husband, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend to many.
Described by his loved ones as kind, humble, thoughtful, calm and always eager to help, Nate Oettinger owned Auto Weave Upholstery in Wheat Ridge. He was a talented, hard-working businessman who would notoriously work 12-hour days and call them “half days.”
Oettinger was driving back from the hardware store with a customer, Dennis Dillman, when his truck was rear-ended at the intersection of W 44th Ave. and Kipling St. two days before Christmas in 2024. Oettinger was killed in the crash.
Dillman suffered multiple fractures to his spine, nerve damage, lacerations to the head and a brain bleed. He continues to undergo physical therapy to this day to try to live a normal retired life with his wife of 50 years.
Our investigation revealed that the driver responsible for this crash, John Bormolini, was weaving through lanes and driving at least 78 mph in a 40-mph zone when he crashed.
“I want to thank our Crash and Traffic Team Investigators who worked meticulously on this case,” said Wheat Ridge Police Chief Chris Murtha. “Our hearts go out to the families, friends and community that was impacted by this crash. This case reenforces our mission to make Wheat Ridge roads safer and sends a clear message that if you drive recklessly in our community, we will hold you accountable.”
Bormolini pleaded guilty last December to the top counts of Reckless Vehicular Homicide and Vehicular Assault. As a result, the Court had the discretion to sentence him to a potential community-based sentence or up to six years in the Department of Corrections.
Arguing for the maximum term, Deputy District Attorney Holly Spease told the court: “This was not an ‘unavoidable accident.’ This was the direct result of the defendant’s reckless decisions behind the wheel taking the life of one community member and seriously injuring another. A prison sentence is essential to protect the public and to affirm that these actions demand accountability.”
Ultimately, the Court agreed. Bormolini was sentenced to the maximum of six years in the Department of Corrections last Friday, a decision that reinforces the serious consequences of reckless driving. We want to thank our partners at the First Judicial DA's Office of Colorado for bringing this case home.
While no legal outcome can undo this tragedy, this sentence delivers justice and holds the defendant accountable, offering a sense of closure to families who have suffered an unimaginable loss.
