An 18-year-old man who drove a pickup that killed a Colorado state trooper and injured a second patrolman was sentenced today to two years of probation, authorities say.
The high school senior also will serve 300 hours of community service, including 25 hours speaking to teens about the Oct. 11 accident and working with severe-trauma victims at Craig Hospital.
He entered a plea agreement to the charge of careless driving causing death. The Denver Post is not revealing his name because he was 17 at the time of the accident.
Trooper Zachariah Templeton, 27, died at Denver Health Medical Center after the accident on Interstate 76 in Adams County. Trooper Scott Hinshaw, 38, was severely injured.
The teen was behind the wheel of a 1994 Ford pickup and looked down for some sunflower seeds on his console just before the accident happened, Adams County District Attorney Don Quick said.
He swerved to avoid backed-up traffic on the highway and plowed into a trailer that the two troopers were helping a motorist reload.
The driver, who apologized for the accident at his sentencing, faced up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine for the misdemeanor.
District Judge Michael Cox fined him $1 and told him that every time he pulls out a dollar from his pocket, he wants him to think of Templeton and Hinshaw.
He also must pay more than $9,300 in restitution and other court fees.
Speaking to the driver during the two-hour sentencing hearing, Trooper Hinshaw told him not to let the accident define him as a person, Quick said.
“I thought it was an unbelievable act of grace,” he said.
Templeton left behind a 3-year-old daughter. Testifying at the sentencing, his mother said careless driving causing death should be a felony offense with lengthier penalties, Quick said.
The Colorado State Patrol issued a statement: “Our focus has been on assisting the Templeton and Hinshaw families through these trying times. It is our sincere hope that conclusion of the criminal case will further allow the Templeton and Hinshaw families to seek closure and turn a new chapter in their healing process. Additionally, the Colorado State Patrol applauds the efforts of investigators and prosecutors in this case. Now that a disposition has been reached, it is also our hope that the healing process may begin for the Loos family as well.
The DA said he would support a law in Colorado making it a crime — at least for teens — to speak on a cellphone while driving, he said. All it takes is a momentary distraction to cause a catastrophic accident, he noted.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
