Phillip Chavez has been sentenced to three years in prison for beating to death a motorist who rear-ended Chavez’s car on Interstate 25 last year, killing his two stepchildren.
Chavez, 39, of Loveland was stopped on the shoulder of the highway north of downtown Denver on March 8 when Glenn Ryburn, 62, slammed into the back of Chavez’s car, instantly killing Damien Noyes, 14, and his 13-year-old sister, Angela.
Investigators said that while Ryburn was belted into his vehicle, Chavez hit him up to 150 times. Ryburn died 69 days later.
At the time of the incident, police said both Chavez and Ryburn were intoxicated.
On Nov. 21, Chavez pleaded guilty to reckless manslaughter, which carries a sentence of up to six years.
Adams County District Attorney Don Quick called the incident a tragedy.
“Our hearts go out to the parents and family of the two children killed in this horrible tragedy,” said Quick. “However, as tragic as this loss, the law does not allow vigilante actions, no matter what the circumstances.”
On top of the prison term, Judge Francis Wasserman also sentenced Chavez to three years of parole. He is to receive anger management and substance-abuse treatment after being released from prison.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
