A Proven Criminal Defense Team

DUI-Related Accident Results in Four-Year Prison Sentence

On Behalf of | May 7, 2010 | Vehicular Assault or Homicide |

An Eaton, Colorado, man was recently sentenced to four years in prison in connection with a DUI-related car accident occurring in December of 2009.

 

Bobby Lucero will serve time in prison for his role in the death of a close friend, London Burch, who was pronounced dead at the scene after Lucero’s vehicle overturned just east of Ault at Colorado 14 and Weld County Road 39. Lucero was not hurt, but had a blood alcohol level of .177 at the time of the crash. Neither Burch nor Lucero was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

 

Lucero was previously charged with a DUI in 1994, but was able to take a deferred sentence for DWAI (driving while ability impaired). At sentencing for the recent accident, Weld District Court Judge Thomas Quammen commented on Lucero’s failure to take advantage of his second chance after the deferred sentence:

 

“That to me is the most aggravating part of this. You had the chance to learn. You didn’t take advantage … That should have been the lesson of a lifetime. … The community has to over and over again get this message … and unfortunately, you didn’t get the message the first time. What a golden opportunity you had.”

 

 

Perhaps just as devastating to all those involved is the effect the accident has had on both families. Lucero and Burch had been close friends for nine years and their families and children had become close as well. On the night of the accident the families grieved together, but since that time, they have had little contact.

 

Although Lucero has since expressed remorse for the accident, initial reports indicated that Lucero first attempted to blame Burch for the accident; according to his attorney, however, he quickly backed off that story. Still, the allegations remain hurtful to Burch’s family.

 

According to Judge Quammen, Lucero was rejected for sentences including probation, intensive supervised probation, and community corrections.

Related Resources:

  • Man gets four years, but loses much more as a result of DUI crash

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