A teenager who pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the death of a 24-year-old woman in Aurora was sentenced to two years of probation, according to CBS Colorado.
The family of Kaitlyn Weaver spoke out against the plea deal this week after they say the 18th Judicial District attorney’s office initially pledged to seek the maximum sentence of two years in youth corrections.
Most of the details of the case are not publicly available because Colorado law prevents the district attorney’s office from releasing information about juvenile cases.
Weaver’s family told CBS she was driving home from work in July when a 15-year-old boy – who is living in the country illegally – crashed into her at 90 mph in an Aurora neighborhood. She was taken off life support two days later.
Weaver’s family is now left with nearly $1 million in medical bills and little recourse because the teen did not have insurance, CBS reported.
In a statement, Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley said the district attorney’s office “unequivocally condemn(s) such reckless and unlawful behavior, which had devastating and irreversible results.”
Prosecutors communicated with Weaver’s family before the teen pleaded guilty, and family members spoke at the sentencing hearing about their memories of Kaitlyn, Brackley said.
“We believe the conviction to the highest charge in this case and the negotiated sentence acknowledges the seriousness of this preventable tragedy, and that no legal outcome can truly make up for the profound loss and void Kaitlyn’s loved ones will live with permanently,” he said.
An attorney for Weaver’s family could not be reached immediately for comment.
CBS’ reporting on the case sparked outrage and national attention, including from Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky, who demanded justice for Weaver and criticized District Attorney Amy Padden in posts on Facebook and X.
The teen was also sentenced to community service in the case. He is now seeking asylum, according to CBS.
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