A retired Army colonel who is accused of driving drunk in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a state trooper faces three felony charges and two misdemeanor charges in connection with the accident.
Eric Peter Henderson, 52, faces felony charges of hit-and-run, vehicular homicide and tampering with evidence, said District Attorney George Brauchler. He also faces two misdemeanor charges of drunken driving.
Brauchler, who like Henderson is a military veteran, said although he respects veterans, being one “is not a get-out-of-jail-free card.”
Henderson’s status won’t mean that he’ll get a lighter sentence or be treated less severely than anyone else, Brauchler said Friday after an advisement hearing.
Henderson faces a possible sentence of 25 years and six months in prison on the charges related to the death of Trooper Jaimie Jursevics.
Following the hearing, Scott Hernandez, the patrol’s chief, said the case has been difficult. “We’re together on this. We will never forget. It’s a devastating impact.”
Henderson, who wore a dark pin-striped suit, did not speak during the hearing. Neither he nor his attorney commented after it.
Henderson, who is free after posting $500,000 bail, will appear in court Feb. 5 for his preliminary hearing.
Jursevics was killed the night of Nov. 15 on Interstate 25 in Castle Rock when she allegedly was struck by the retired Army colonel, who spent the day drinking at a Broncos game in Denver, authorities say.
“I killed a cop,” Henderson said through tears after he was arrested, according to an arrest affidavit.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206, kmitchell@denverpost.com or @kirkmitchell or
