Judge Arturo Hernandez of the 17th Judicial District sentenced a man to seven years in prison Friday for a fatal hit-and-run crash in Commerce City that killed a teenager in late 2024.

Erik Hernandez-Escobar, 20, plead guilty to vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident involving death for killing 18-year-old Emiliano Malpica and seriously injuring members of his family during a street race on Oct. 6, 2024, according to a news release from the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

“This was an unspeakable tragedy caused by the thoughtless actions of this defendant,” said 17th Judicial District Attorney Brian Mason in the release. “My heart breaks for the victims and their families whose lives are now forever changed.”

That day, Hernandez-Escobar was street racing with another driver while driving a black Audi A4 at the intersection of Holly Street and East 58th Avenue in Commerce City when they both failed to stop at a stop sign, according to the release. At that moment, Hernandez-Escobar’s vehicle collided with a black Volkswagen carrying Malpica and members of his family.

Hernandez-Escobar fled the scene and later falsely reported his vehicle stolen, but cellphone data, vehicle crash notifications and location tracking from his Life360 account placed him at the site at the time of the crash, the release says. A passenger in the Audio also confirmed he was the driver.

Two other co-defendants still have pending cases in relation to the incident, according to the release:

• Elian Marte Agramonte, charged with vehicular homicide – reckless driving and vehicular assault – reckless, arraignment set for Oct. 22
• Raquel Lujan Flores, charged with three counts of accessory to a crime, arraignment set for Oct. 1

Deputy District Attorney David Ortiz and Deputy District Attorney Cody Ruebel, both with the 17th Judicial District, prosecuted the case.