Man sentenced to 20 years in prison for trying to kill women he thought were lesbians
Vitalie Oprea has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after attempting to run over two women on a sidewalk. (X/18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office)
Vitalie Oprea has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after attempting to run over two women on a sidewalk. (X/18th Judicial District Attorney's Office)
A Colorado man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after attempting to run over women he thought were lesbians.
Vitalie Oprea, 47, who pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder after deliberation, along with a violent crime sentence enhancer, has been sentenced to 20 years in the Colorado Department of Correction. It comes after it was revealed there have been more than 360 anti-LGBTQ+ bills tabled in the US already this year.
On 19 February, 2023, Oprea took his parents’ car without permission. He later saw two women at the corner of the intersection of E. Arapahoe Road and South Liverpool Street.
According to the 18th Judicial District, witnesses told authorities he yelled and made obscene gestures at the women, before making a U-turn into oncoming traffic, heading towards them. Sadly, anti-LGBTQ+ incidents are on the rise in the US, with Pride Month in 2025 being one of the most dangerous in history.
The women managed to run to a nearby grassy area, but Oprea drove over the curb towards them. The women got into a pickup truck, which Oprea rammed with his vehicle.
He exited his car and kicked the passenger side of the truck, managing to open the door. He then attempted to pull one of the women out. Oprea fled the scene and was arrested later that day in Arvada.
‘They feared for their lives’
As per the 18th Judicial District: “Both victims told investigators they feared for their lives and believed Oprea, whom they did not know, was attempting to run them over and kill them. Witnesses also stated they believed Oprea was trying to strike the women with his vehicle.”
Oprea told the arresting officer: “I drove at the women because I saw them kissing and they were lesbians and I wanted to kill them.”
Deputy District Attorney Lauren Agee said: ”These women did nothing to provoke this violence. They were targeted, chased, and left fearing for their lives. Our office takes hate-motivated violence extremely seriously, and attacks rooted in hate will be met with accountability and significant consequences.”
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