Aurora man sentenced to 52 years in prison for crash that killed mother, daughter
Courtesy of the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office
An Aurora man drove drunk and crashed into a family’s vehicle, killing a mother and her six-year-old daughter. He will now serve 52 years in prison.
18th Judicial District Judge Laqunya Latrese Baker sentenced 32-year-old Juan Pablo Pascual-Licea to 52 years in prison on Wednesday on charges of vehicular homicide in connection to a 2022 crash that seriously injured a father and his 10-year-old son and killed a mother and six-year-old daughter.
“In the blink of an eye, a family is torn apart by the selfish actions of someone who chose to drive drunk and endanger multiple lives,” 18th Judicial District Senior Deputy District Attorney Meghan Gallo said in a news release. “As a mother, I cannot imagine the heartbreak, grief and devastation this family has suffered. It was a privilege to prosecute this case and bring justice to this family.”
The incident occurred on on April 8, 2022. In the crash, Pascual-Licea was driving over 80 mph the wrong way on S. Chambers Road near E. 6th Avenue in a truck. He struck the family’s SUV as they were traveling home from celebrating the daughter’s birthday.
The mother and daughter were pronounced dead at the hospital. The father and son suffered serious injuries, but survived.
Aurora Police Department discovered that the man had hit a bicyclist and almost hit a group of teenagers in a crosswalk before the crash. An hour after the crash, his blood alcohol content was .181, more than twice the legal limit.
Following a three-day trial in December, 2023, an Arapahoe County jury found Pascual-Licea guilty of:
- Two counts of vehicular homicide – DUI
- Two counts of vehicular assault – DUI
- Child abuse – knowingly/recklessly causing serious bodily injury
- Child abuse – knowingly/recklessly causing death
He was officially sentenced on Wednesday.
“In the blink of an eye, a father lost his wife and daughter and a boy lost his younger sister to a man who selfishly chose to drive drunk and put countless lives in danger,” District Attorney John Kellner said in a Wednesday press release. “I hope this sentence brings some closure to this family in knowing this defendant will not be driving on our roads anytime soon.”