Illegal migrant, 15, gets probation and must go to school after killing Colorado rehab worker, 24, in high-speed crash
A 15-year-old illegal immigrant who killed a Colorado drug rehab worker in a high-speed crash in a residential neighborhood was given a slap on the wrist by a Democrat prosecutor, endorsed by several prominent party members.
The Colombian national juvenile, who cannot be named due to state law, was sentenced to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service for the July 2024 death of Kaitlyn Weaver.
Arapahoe County District Attorney Amy Padden offered the teen the plea deal if he admitted guilt in the deadly crash, promised to attend school and not break any more laws,
The teen was racing his mother’s Jeep Cherokee at over 90 mph through a posted 45 mph street when he slammed into Weaver’s Volkswagen in Aurora, Colo.
Weaver, 24, was “effectively killed instantly,” her father John Weaver told the outlet.
Weaver was speaking with her boyfriend on speaker phone when she stopped at a stop sign, allowing a car to pass before she crossed into the intersection and was T-boned by the teen.
“She didn’t even see him coming,” the heartbroken father said. “That’s how fast he was going.”
The driver’s side of Weaver’s car was completely mangled in the crash.
Weaver spent two days in the hospital before her parents took her off life support and donated her organs to others in need.
The teen, who was also unlicensed to drive the car, had other kids in the car with him at the time of the deadly crash.
He was charged with vehicular homicide.
Colorado state law prohibits minors from being publicly identified in criminal court cases.
His mom told investigators she planned to move him back to Colombia, but the teen has since filed for asylum in the US, CBS reported.
The teen was processed through juvenile court, with the Weavers expecting a full trial until Padden was elected to office and replaced the former district attorney.
“The DA’s office said this would be a ‘no plea deal’ case, so they were not going to offer anything; any concession,” John Weaver said.
“Why the change? If he had taken a firearm and recklessly just shot it and killed someone, this would be a different case. They would be pushing it completely differently,” he added. “There’s no deterrence.”
Kaitlyn Weaver attended the University of Colorado Boulder to study psychology and volunteered with the suicide hotline before working at the drug rehab center in Aurora.
“She was really trying to make a difference in their lives every day,” her dad said.
The teen had taken the uninsured Jeep without permission, meaning the boys mother is not responsible for the deadly crash.
John Weaver blasted the several policies that allowed the teen to crash into his daughter.
“Immigration and the criminal justice system and all these things landed together one day in Aurora and now I sit here today without a daughter,” he said, fighting back tears.
Padden addressed her controversial decision in a comment under a , focusing on the danger of speeding, only briefly mentioning the teen’s immigration status.
“We acknowledge Kaitlyn Weaver’s death was the direct result of a crash caused by an unlicensed teenager driving at nearly twice the posted speed limit. This tragic loss is a powerful reminder that it is not just alcohol or drug impaired driving that takes lives,” Padden wrote.
“Driving at dangerous speeds has deadly consequences too and they are felt by our entire community. Although the driver’s age and relevant legal statutes resulted in this case being handled in juvenile court, this should not diminish the severity of the offense.”
Padden previously received endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders (V-I,), Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D) and Colorado Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, and has shared photos of herself with Stacey Abrams and Kamala Harris.
“We unequivocally condemn such reckless and unlawful behavior, which had devastating and irreversible results. We assigned Kaitlyn’s family a Victim Advocate to assist and guide them throughout the judicial process, and we communicated with them before agreeing to a final disposition in this case. Prior to sentencing, Kaitlin’s family members addressed the judge with heartfelt recollections of Kaitlyn and pointed comments directed at the juvenile offender. No legal outcome can truly make up for the profound loss and void Kaitlyn’s loved ones will live with permanently,” she added.
