Post by Adam on Nov 13, 2006 15:14:25 GMT -5
www.thedenverchannel.com/news/10303191/detail.html
Man Charged With Killing Family In Downtown Crosswalk
Police: Lawrence Trujillo Was Driving Drunk
Man Charged With Killing Family In Downtown Crosswalk
Police: Lawrence Trujillo Was Driving Drunk
DENVER -- A man was charged Sunday with killing a mother and two children by driving drunk through a red light and striking the family in a downtown Denver crosswalk, then leaving the scene.
Lawrence Trujillo was ordered held in lieu of $250,000 bail. Magistrate Beth Faragher also ordered him to stay away from the father, who was in fair condition at Denver Health Medical Center with nerve damage to his right arm and bruises.
Lynn Kimbrough, spokeswoman for the district attorney's office, said such orders are fairly routine in cases where victims have suffered violent attacks.
Trujillo is accused of driving a pickup through a red light at 15th and Arapahoe streets on Friday night at high speed, killing Becca Bingham, 39, and her two children, Macie, 4, and Garrison,2. Only the father, Frank Bingham, 41, survived. He was recovering at Denver Health Medical Center Monday.
The collision knocked off the front license plate of the red Ford pickup, helping police track down the suspects.
Trujillo was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide involving driving under the influence, four counts of vehicular assault while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident.
A passenger, Eric Snell, 35, was charged as an accessory in crime, according to court documents. Snell was also ordered to stay away from Frank Bingham, posted $25,000 bail and was released from jail Sunday. His lawyer, Jesse Wiens, said the charge against his client has not been specified.
Trujillo, who was not represented by a lawyer, made no comment in court Sunday except to say he understood the judge's order. The defendants were not asked to make a plea, and the next court date was not set.
The Binghams were out for a family evening Friday and were walking with Macie, wearing a ballerina princess outfit, and Garrison, dressed in a Superman cape, riding in a double stroller. They were crossing lawfully at the intersection, which had a traffic signal, authorities said.
"I went down there and it was a well-lit street. There was no excuse for it. It is one of the most horrific accidents we've had," said Jackson.
Jackson said they didn't know how fast the truck was going, but witness Alice Maynard said it appeared to be going about 50 mph.
"He didn't even brake," she said.
Frank Bingham, the director of a University of Colorado at Denver enrichment center called the Colorado Principals' Center, was listed in fair condition with nerve damage to his right arm and multiple bruises.
His family said he is recovering and was more coherent on Sunday. Mayor John Hickenlooper also visited Frank on Sunday.
"I am devastated by this tragedy, and my thoughts and prayers are with Frank and his family," said Hickenlooper.
Lawrence Trujillo was ordered held in lieu of $250,000 bail. Magistrate Beth Faragher also ordered him to stay away from the father, who was in fair condition at Denver Health Medical Center with nerve damage to his right arm and bruises.
Lynn Kimbrough, spokeswoman for the district attorney's office, said such orders are fairly routine in cases where victims have suffered violent attacks.
Trujillo is accused of driving a pickup through a red light at 15th and Arapahoe streets on Friday night at high speed, killing Becca Bingham, 39, and her two children, Macie, 4, and Garrison,2. Only the father, Frank Bingham, 41, survived. He was recovering at Denver Health Medical Center Monday.
The collision knocked off the front license plate of the red Ford pickup, helping police track down the suspects.
Trujillo was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide involving driving under the influence, four counts of vehicular assault while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident.
A passenger, Eric Snell, 35, was charged as an accessory in crime, according to court documents. Snell was also ordered to stay away from Frank Bingham, posted $25,000 bail and was released from jail Sunday. His lawyer, Jesse Wiens, said the charge against his client has not been specified.
Trujillo, who was not represented by a lawyer, made no comment in court Sunday except to say he understood the judge's order. The defendants were not asked to make a plea, and the next court date was not set.
The Binghams were out for a family evening Friday and were walking with Macie, wearing a ballerina princess outfit, and Garrison, dressed in a Superman cape, riding in a double stroller. They were crossing lawfully at the intersection, which had a traffic signal, authorities said.
"I went down there and it was a well-lit street. There was no excuse for it. It is one of the most horrific accidents we've had," said Jackson.
Jackson said they didn't know how fast the truck was going, but witness Alice Maynard said it appeared to be going about 50 mph.
"He didn't even brake," she said.
Frank Bingham, the director of a University of Colorado at Denver enrichment center called the Colorado Principals' Center, was listed in fair condition with nerve damage to his right arm and multiple bruises.
His family said he is recovering and was more coherent on Sunday. Mayor John Hickenlooper also visited Frank on Sunday.
"I am devastated by this tragedy, and my thoughts and prayers are with Frank and his family," said Hickenlooper.