Skip to Content
Top

Man sentenced to 4 years in prison for Colorado teen’s death

|

(720) 712-2972

Toll Free : (720) 712-2972

The driver of a car who was going too fast on a Colorado road, resulting in the death of a 16-year-old girl, has been sentenced to four years in prison.

The accident occurred in January 2018 when the driver, then 20, was traveling on Highway 74. He was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, which later was found to have faulty brakes, on the way to Wal-Mart. He lost control, and the car spun 180 degrees, slid, flipped and continued in motion until it hit a concrete barrier and stopped.

The girl was ejected from the car and died days later in a hospital

Witnesses told the Colorado State Patrol that the driver was aggressive and could have been traveling as fast as 80 mph before losing control of the car.

Another passenger, a 33-year-old man who did not suffer serious injuries, told investigators he thought the man could have been going as fast as 100 mph.

The driver, a resident of Littleton, denied he was speeding but acknowledged bad brakes at the time. He entered a guilty plea to vehicular homicide in January 2019.

In his recent sentencing hearing, the man said he regretted his actions that January 2018 evening.

“Your honor, there isn’t a moment I don’t wish I made better choices,” he told the court during sentencing. “The world needs more people like (the victim) and I’m so sorry.”

Her family also addressed the court, and tears welled up in the eyes of the spectators as her parents spoke of her loss.

“We’re here because of a selfish deliberate act, an act that’s changed so many lives,” her father said.

“Planning a funeral is not what any parents want to have to do for their child your children are supposed to outlive you,” her mother said.

Her family has had more than a year to process her death and cope with their grief. They will never get over it, though. Along, the way, too, they encountered medical bills for the few days the teen spent in the hospital, as well as her funeral expenses. They deserve compensation for those costs, as well as their pain and suffering.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn