An Adams County judge on Thursday sentenced the street racer who shot and killed a volunteer firefighter in 2022 to life in prison, with an additional 192 consecutive years for attempted murder charges

Jeremy Rocha, 22, shot and killed John Jaros, the assistant chief of the Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department, on June 18, 2022 on I-70 in Aurora following a street racing incident. Jaros’ wife and children were also in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

A 17th Judicial District jury found Rocha guilty of first-degree murder with extreme indifference, second-degree murder and four counts of attempted murder representing each of the family members in the vehicle.

Jaros’ wife told investigators there were two vehicles slowing traffic down purposefully to allow two other vehicles to race, according to the arrest affidavit.

Jaros then passed the vehicles on the left shoulder of the interstate. According to Jaros’ wife, he might have “brake-checked” the first two cars when he re-entered the driving lane.

Jaros’ wife said she heard at least four gunshots and saw her husband slump over, the affidavit said.

During the end of the trial, Rocha claimed the shooting was in self-defense, according to Denver Gazette news partner 9News. He claimed that Jaros rammed into Rocha’s new Mustang, as he was street racing against a black Camaro.

In his testimony, which prosecutors continuously called “made-up,” Rocha said Jaros “rammed” into the Camaro. He told the jury that he could see a gun in Jaros’ right hand and so he fired at Jaros’ truck nine times.

In court, the prosecution asked Rocha, “So, the fact that Jonathon Jaros was shot and killed in I-70 was entirely his fault?”

“Correct,” Rocha replied.

Adams County District Court Judge Jeffrey Ruff sentenced Rocha to life without possibility of parole, 48 years for the second-degree murder conviction and 192 consecutive years for the four attempted murder counts. 

For more on this and other stories, visit our partner at 9News.com.