Commerce City Crash Leads to Vehicular Homicide Charges
Commerce City, CO — A January 16 crash on Interstate 270 has resulted in vehicular homicide charges against a 22-year-old man, Brandon Joseph Sargent-Zuniga, according to authorities.
Sargent-Zuniga allegedly struck two vehicles while attempting to pass a semitrailer on the shoulder around 9:05 p.m. His girlfriend, Krista Parr, 23, sustained injuries in the crash and was later pronounced dead after he attempted to transport her to the hospital.
Authorities stated that Sargent-Zuniga fled the scene before being stopped by a Colorado State Patrol trooper for speeding and running a stop sign near East 74th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. Officers found Parr unconscious in the back seat of the vehicle.
During the investigation, Sargent-Zuniga claimed another vehicle caused the accident by brake-checking him. However, footage from the semitrailer indicated he was attempting to pass on the shoulder, leading to the collision with a parked RV and the semitrailer.
Sargent-Zuniga, who was driving a gray sedan, was observed appearing to race another vehicle prior to the incident. Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be factors in the crash. He was arrested on March 28 and charged with vehicular homicide by reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident involving death. He has since posted a $50,000 surety bail.
Court records indicate Sargent-Zuniga's next hearing is scheduled for April 22.