Man sentenced to 18 years in prison for accident that killed woman in October 2022

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. – A man was sentenced Tuesday to 18 years in prison for a crash that killed a woman in Lone Tree in October 2022.

The two-vehicle collision occurred around 6 a.m. on October 23, 2022 near Lincoln Avenue and Park Meadows Drive. When first responders arrived, they found a woman trapped in her sedan. She was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Witnesses observed a RAM pickup truck running a red light and crashing into the driver’s side of the sedan. The driver of the truck – later identified as 40-year-old David Lucero – left the scene before he could be interviewed. According to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, investigators were able to locate him based on his license plate number.

Lucero initially told police that his truck had been “missing” the night before, but never reported it missing or stolen. After some questioning, he admitted to being involved in the accident, prosecutors said.

Lucero pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident involving death and homicide – reckless driving. According to prosecutors, he was scheduled to be sentenced on April 2, but he did not appear in court.

“Instead of calling for help or remaining on scene until emergency responders arrived, this defendant made the cowardly decision to run,” Assistant District Attorney Keegan Doheney said in a statement. “Not only did he decide to escape that morning, but he also decided not to face justice on the day he was to be sentenced.”

An arrest warrant was issued for Lucero, who was arrested two days later.