The father-in-law of the passenger killed during an alleged drunken driving incident doesn’t think the man who was behind the wheel at the time should face a felony charge.
Authorities have said driver Jeffrey Harrington and his friend David “Sparky” Truax had been drinking in the early hours of Dec. 23.
As Harrington, 39, drove along Cherry Creek Drive North, Truax opened the passenger door and fell from the moving SUV, according to prosecutors. He later died from his injuries.
The pair had been colleagues at South Metro Fire Rescue.
Truax’s father-in-law, Ray Bowman, showed up in court today for Harrington’s second advisement.
“They were great friends,” Bowman said after the brief hearing. “I don’t like the law.”
He said it was Truax, 50, who decided to open the door of a moving vehicle.
Harrington now faces a Class 3 felony charge of vehicular homicide, which typically carries a penalty of between four and 12 years in prison.
He’s also charged with misdemeanor DUI.
Harrington remains free on $50,000 bond and next appears in court Jan. 30.
Jessica Fender: 303-954-1244 or jfender@denverpost.com.
