A woman was sentenced to 10 years in prison, the maximum sentence, for leaving the scene of a fatal car accident. Latoya Nelson pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death after she ran a red light and crashed into another car, fatally injuring the 85-year-old driver, Charlie Herrera. Both the victim's and defendant's families filled the courtroom for the emotional sentencing hearing, where the prosecutor asked for the maximum sentence as punishment and a deterrent for others considering fleeing an accident scene. Upon hearing the sentence, Nelson collapsed and was helped from the courtroom.

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NEWS RELEASE
February 27, 2014
Contact: Lynn Kimbrough, 720-913-9025
WOMAN SENTENCED IN FATAL HIT/RUN CRASH
A 30-year-old woman who pleaded guilty in a fatal hit/run crash that occurred last year at 13th
Avenue and Kalamath Street has received the maximum sentence today.
Latoya Nelson (dob: 10-30-83) pleaded guilty earlier to leaving the scene of an accident
resulting in death (F3). She was sentenced to ten years in the Colorado Department of
Corrections, the maximum possible sentence under the guilty plea agreement.
On March 27, 2013, about 3:45 p.m., Nelson was driving southbound on Kalamath Street when
she ran a red light at 13th Avenue and crashed into a car driven by 85-year-old Charlie Herrera.
Herrera was fatally injured.
Family members of both the victim and the defendant filled Denver District Courtroom 5A this
afternoon, in a lengthy and emotional sentencing hearing. The case was prosecuted by Denver
Deputy District Attorney Kelly Waidler, who had asked for the maximum sentence both as a
punishment and as a deterrent for others who would consider fleeing a scene rather than stopping
to render aid.
Nelson was visibly distraught, collapsing to the ground after hearing the sentence, and was
helped from the courtroom by Denver sheriff deputies as she was remanded to begin serving her
sentence.
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