Another day, another loser checks out...and takes two others with him.

So here are the police, setting up a typical DUI checkpoint in Denver over the week-end and making a real effort to get drunk drivers off our roads.

Along comes James Thomas at about 1:30 AM on Saturday morning. He's got a carload of teenagers and probably more than a little alcohol in his system. He gets stopped by the checkpoint, but then apparently panics and speeds off, crashes and kills himself and two young girls.

The driver of a car involved in a high-speed crash Saturday that killed three had fled a Denver police DUI checkpoint moments before the wreck.

James Thomas, 22, stopped at the checkpoint near Park Avenue west near the interstate, then sped away in his 2004 Subaru Impreza, said Denver police spokesman John White. "At some point the driver pulled out and fled and ultimately the fatal accident occurred."

Thomas and his girlfriend, Daniella Devores, 20, and Melissa Burns, 18, ied in the accident.

Police didn't pursue Thomas.

Nicholas Palmer, 19, f Broomfield, who was also in the car, remained in critical condition Monday at Denver Health Medical Center.

This is WHY we have DUI checkpoints. Because drunk drivers ARE out there, and because they routinely do stupid and dangerous stuff. Not only are their physical abilities impaired, but so is their decision-making. James Thomas just proved that in a pretty undeniable fashion. His choice, so no tears there, but as so often happens, someone else has to pay for the drunk's stupid decisions too.

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