Aurora – The bride-to-be who died in a traffic accident on her wedding day was blameless, Aurora police said Wednesday, contradicting their earlier speculation that she may have been drinking and may have made an illegal U-turn.
An investigation by the department reportedly found that Kevin Kraft, 27, of Aurora, who was driving a silver Dodge Ram pickup, had been speeding and drinking on June 4 when he slammed into a red Volks wagen Beetle driven by Arlene Gavrilis, 25, of Highlands Ranch.
“Toxicology results indicate he was well above the legal limit of 0.08,” said Marcus Dudley, an Aurora police spokesman.
Dudley said police will ask the Arapahoe County district attorney to file charges against Kraft that include vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and reckless driving, police said.
An autopsy indicated that alcohol was not found in Gavrilis, Dudley said.
Aurora police spokeswoman Kathleen Walsh said after the crash that alcohol was suspected to have been a factor with both drivers and that Gavrilis was traveling west on East Hampden in the far right lane when she attempted a U-turn across several lanes of traffic.
Walsh said Wednesday that statement was preliminary pending the investigation.
Gavrilis, who lived in Highlands Ranch, attended her wedding rehearsal dinner hours before the fatal morning crash. She was to have married Adam Hawkes later that day.
The investigation findings also disputed some interviews done immediately after the accident with witnesses who said Kraft and Gavrilis had both been traveling the same direction on East Hampden Avenue.
According to the report, Gavrilis was northbound on South Nucla Street and tried to make a left turn onto westbound East Hampden Avenue before being struck broadside by Kraft.
Kraft was eastbound in the center lane of East Hampden Avenue, Dudley said.
On Wednesday, Gavrilis’ family released a statement that said, in part: “We will have to learn how to cope with this appalling, meaningless tragedy and find forgiveness in our hearts.
“Furthermore, we will do everything we can to help protect other innocent people from those who drink and drive by telling Arlene’s story.”
Staff writer Annette Espinoza can be reached at 303-820-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com.
