A burglary at approximately 5:55 am. on April 5 led to a high-speed chase, ending with the driver being transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, and later passing away at the hospital.

A 12-year-old Grand Junction boy was identified as the deceased driver. He was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, and the cause of death was blunt force injuries according to the Mesa County Coroner's Office.

Sunday morning, a homeowner alerted deputies that their home had been burglarized, and the suspect took off with their keys and got away in their 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

A short time later, Deputies spotted the same vehicle reported at an Alta gas station off of 30 Road and I-70B.

Deputies approached the vehicle, but the boy took off westbound on the Frontage Road at an alarming speed.

Before deputies could return to their patrol cars to pursue the suspect, the Jeep rolled and the boy was ejected at I-70B and North Ave.

The boy was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries according to the Mesa County Sherriff's Office and later died of those injuries.

The case remains under investigation. The Grand Junction Police Department is assisting with the crash investigation.