The man responsible for causing a multi-vehicle crash that took the life of Colorado Ballet Academy composer Kresten Wolff Thomsen and seriously injured his two children was sentenced to 12 years in prison Wednesday.

Juan Alexis Ortega Torres Jr., 23 — who faced up to 24 years in prison — pleaded guilty in May to three counts: one for vehicular homicide and two for vehicular assault.

The 44-year-old Thomsen was a “devoted husband and father and a talented composer, writer, and musician,” the 1st Judicial District Attorney’s office said in a news release. “Friends and family described Kresten as having a ‘bigger-than-life personality’ and was a ‘model of how to live.’”

“The overwhelming love and admiration for Kresten are palpable,” added 1st Judicial District Deputy District Attorney Benjamin Hepler. “While no sentence can bring back Kresten or undo the significant trauma experienced by all the people impacted in this tragedy, we hope this consecutive sentence and quick resolution brings some sense of closure to all the victims and Kresten’s loved ones.”

“All of the words in all of the languages on earth will never be able to describe what a wonderful man this was,” Thomsen’s wife told the court. “Kresten and the loss of him consumes my every thought. I live in a sorrow that is indescribable, unpredictable, and inconsolable. I long for him every minute of every day.”

The crash occurred on Feb. 5, 2024 at 3:30 p.m., when Ortega Torres ran a red light at West 64th Avenue and Lamar Street in Arvada, traveling at 60 mph in a 35-mph zone.

Thomsen and his two children were on their way home from school when they were struck by Ortega Torres’ vehicle. Two additional cars were hit in the crash.

“If I could trade places with Kresten, I would,” Ortega Torres told the court. “I still can’t believe the harm I’ve done to this family. I hope people believe me that I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”