COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—A coroner’s official testified that he ruled the dragging death of a tow-truck driver was a homicide because he believes a woman drove away when she realized her vehicle was about to be towed.
The Colorado Springs Gazette reported () that El Paso County assistant coroner Daniel Lingamfelter testified Friday in the trial of Detra Farries.
“Everything that happened after that, from my standpoint, is irrelevant,” Lingamfelter said.
A coroner’s ruling is a description of how someone died, not a finding of criminal responsibility.
Farries has been charged with manslaughter, vehicular homicide and leaving the scene. Authorities said Allen Lew Rose was preparing to tow Farries’ SUV when she drove off, and he became entangled in a cable he had attached to her vehicle.
Prosecutors have argued that Farries’ decision to drive away was one of a series of actions that led to Rose’s death.
Defense attorneys have argued that Rose put himself in danger, citing testimony that he maneuvered to block her in as she was walking to her SUV and then placed or threw tow hooks on the vehicle as she pulled away. They say his death was a tragic accident but Farries shouldn’t be held responsible.
Farries’ trial began Jan. 30 with jury selection. Prosecutors began laying out their case Feb. 3 and are expected to continue another week. Then the defense will have the chance to give its side.
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Information from: The Gazette,
