A man suspected of drunken driving in a told an officer he had been taking shots and drinking beer at a bar just before the wreck, court documents show.
Derek Romero, 23, said he knew the crash was his fault and apologized, according to an arrest affidavit.
Police say he ran a red light at a speed of about 60 mph when he slammed into another vehicle.
“I’m sorry I messed up,” Romero told the first officer to arrive at the scene, the affidavit says. “I was just trying to catch the light.”
The Feb. 4 crash at the intersection of Wadsworth Boulevard and Fifth Avenue left 56-year-old Frank Disanto fatally wounded. He suffered a fractured spine and skull, with bleeding in his brain.
Romero was formally charged Friday with vehicular homicide while driving under the influence and several other allegations.
According to police, Romero was driving with a cancelled license and lacked insurance. He also was wanted on a warrant.
An officer wrote in the affidavit that he could smell alcohol on Romero’s breath.
“I’m not gonna lie to you, I’ve been drinking,” Romero told police, according to the affidavit.
Disanto died of injuries he sustained in the crash on Feb. 10, police say.
Court records show Romero posted $20,000 and was released. He is due in court March 15 for a preliminary hearing.
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or @JesseAPaul
