A district decide in Jefferson County sentenced Daniel Brief on Monday to 5 years in jail for vehicular murder after having prompted the loss of life of 59-year-old Julia Pacheco in a drunken-driving crash in Lakewood final October.
Brief, 65, who already had been convicted of DUI 3 times since 1977, pleaded responsible on April 18 to fees of vehicular murder and driving underneath the affect – third or subsequent alcohol-related offense.
Based on a information launch from the First Judicial District Lawyer’s Workplace, Pacheco’s household spoke of her to the court docket, saying, “Julie would have been the individual that would have supplied to offer the defendant a journey house had he solely had the decency to ask for a journey as an alternative of driving underneath the affect.”
Pacheco, who was using a bike, was struck from behind by Brief, who was driving a gold Lexus sedan, simply after 9 p.m. Oct. 4 close to the intersection of South Sheridan Boulevard and West Yale Avenue. Pacheco, 59, was pronounced lifeless by the point she arrived on the hospital.
A number of witnesses claimed to have seen Brief rushing and driving recklessly previous to the crash, based on the DA’s workplace. Brief remained on the scene following the collision, officers mentioned, telling police he had been at a golf event earlier within the day the place he had been ingesting beers and smoking marijuana.
Police mentioned additionally they discovered that Brief was in possession of cocaine that day.
“Whereas Mr. Brief didn’t got down to damage anybody on Oct. 4, 2021, he made decisions that prompted the irrevocable tragedy earlier than the Court docket,” Deputy District Lawyer Riley Gonya advised the court docket, based on the information launch. “He drank and drove for the fourth time, he drove recklessly and he crashed into Julie Pacheco, ending her life. Our hearts are with Ms. Pacheco’s family and friends as they proceed to grieve her loss. We all know that nothing can return what they’ve misplaced, however we’re honored to offer Julie a voice.”
