Witness: Teen “Whooped” with Joy After Rock Fatally Struck Young Woman’s Car

A disturbing moment of courtroom testimony left a Colorado jury stunned this week, as a key witness described the reaction of a teenager moments after a rock he allegedly threw crashed through the windshield of a young woman’s car — killing her instantly.

The victim, 20-year-old Alexa Bartell, was on the phone with a friend when a large landscaping rock hurled from a moving car smashed through her windshield on the night of April 19, 2023. Her vehicle veered off the road and crashed. She never got the chance to hang up the phone.

Now, nearly a year later, one of the teens involved says the moment the rock made contact was met with celebration — not remorse.

“He Whooped Like It Was a Game”

Nicholas “Mitch” Karol-Chik, one of the three teens charged in connection with the incident, took the stand this week as part of a plea deal. He didn’t hold back when describing how Joseph Koenig, the alleged driver and co-defendant, reacted to the fatal hit.

“He whooped — like, in celebration,” Karol-Chik told the jury. “It was like he was excited that it hit. That someone actually got hit.”

According to prosecutors, Koenig, Karol-Chik, and a third teen, Zachary Kwak, had spent hours on a reckless spree, throwing rocks at multiple passing cars that night. Alexa Bartell was the only person killed, but she wasn’t the only one targeted.

Several drivers were hit, injured, or startled by the rocks — one of which weighed several pounds and could have easily caused fatal injuries, even without a crash.

A Life Stolen in Seconds

Alexa’s death devastated her family, friends, and the wider community. The young woman was known for her warmth, energy, and dreams for the future. Her grieving parents have attended every day of the trial, listening closely as the events of their daughter’s final moments are pieced together.

On the night of her death, Alexa had been chatting with a friend while driving home. That friend was still on the line when Alexa suddenly stopped responding. Alarmed, the friend tracked her phone and found her car off the side of the road. It was already too late.

A Plea for Justice

Karol-Chik and Kwak have both accepted plea deals, agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors in exchange for lesser charges. While their admissions offer new insight into the chaotic events of that night, they also reveal a chilling lack of understanding among the teens about the consequences of their actions.

“They didn’t stop. They didn’t call for help. They just kept driving,” the prosecutor said during opening arguments. “They laughed. They cheered. And a young woman lost her life because of it.”

Koenig, now 20, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and multiple counts of attempted murder. His defense has not yet presented its full case, but the testimonies of his former friends — turned witnesses — are painting a grim picture of that night.

More Than a Prank Gone Wrong

In court, the mood is heavy. Several other drivers who were targeted by the rock-throwing trio have shared their own frightening experiences. Some described hearing a loud crash, feeling glass shatter, or suddenly losing control of their cars on the dark Colorado roads.

“I could’ve died that night too,” one driver told the jury. “And they thought it was funny.”

As the trial continues, it’s clear that this is about more than just a prank gone wrong. It’s about recklessness, a life cut short, and a community demanding accountability.

Alexa Bartell’s family hopes that, through justice, they’ll find a small sense of peace — even as they continue to mourn the vibrant young woman they lost.