An alleged drunken driver with three previous DUI convictions is accused of killing a mother and her teenage son — even though his driver’s license had been revoked.
Jose Menjivar, 37, was arrested in the crash that killed Melissa Powell, 46, and her son Riordan, 16, in Broomfield, Colorado, at 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 12.
He was driving up to 100 mph in a 40 mph zone at the time and was seen speeding past several vehicles, according to an affidavit obtained by 9News.
Menjivar then allegedly hit the Powells’ Mazda CX-5 “front to side,” causing the vehicle to crash into a tree.
When police arrived, they said, they found the driver unconscious and Menjivar reportedly told officers he did not remember the accident, KDVR reported.
Officers also found at least two empty beer cans on the front passenger floorboard and an open beer container on the back passenger seat with the can missing.
Melissa Powell, 46, and her son Riordan, 16, died after Jose Menjivar allegedly drunkenly crashed their vehicle by driving 100 mph in a 40 mph zone. Gofundme
Another beer can be parked on the road near the crash site, according to the Denver Post.
Police also noticed an “unknown foul odor of an alcoholic beverage” emanating from the Toyota pickup truck Menjivar was driving, and obtained a warrant for a blood test, which showed he had a blood alcohol content of .249 — more than three times the legal limit .
He was taken to a local hospital for injuries he sustained in the collision and has since been booked into the Broomfield County Jail, according to the Denver Gazette.
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After the crash, Menjivar pleaded guilty to driving while impaired in Boulder County in 2007 and 2016.
His license was also revoked on July 5, 2019, and will remain revoked until July 5, 2024, but he borrowed his brother’s truck on that fateful day.
Since Powell’s untimely death, Melissa’s sister-in-law Kim Powell described how “an immeasurable void has been left in our family and community, and the world feels less bright without them.
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support at this difficult time of the year, where our family has suffered so much loss, and ask for privacy to allow us to grieve,” he told the Gazette.
An online fundraiser set up to help the family following the crash says Melissa is a mother of three and Riordan is a student at Broomfield High School and Boulder Technical Education Center.
“Melissa and Riordan are the light in most of our lives, and it’s hard to understand and understand that situation,” she said.
“This unimaginable loss has left the Powell family struggling with grief and an unexpected financial burden as we head into the holiday season.”
Jose Menjivar faces a maximum of 36 years in prison if convicted of the top charge. Broomfield Police Department
Menjivar was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence – fourth or subsequent offense and driving under the influence per se – fourth or subsequent offense, both felonies.
He faces a maximum of 36 years in prison if convicted of the top charge.
It is unclear whether he has retained a lawyer who can speak on his behalf.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
