Immigrant Driver's License Bill Signed By Governor Hickenlooper

New Law Will Allow Illegal Immigrants to Obtain Driver's Licenses

(Photo Credit: CBS)

Colorado's Governor John Hickenlooper signed a bill Wednesday that will allow undocumented immigrants in Colorado to get a restricted driver's license, following the direction of other recent bill signings in states such as Oregon and Nevada.

The law will give illegal immigrants a way to legally drive on Colorado's roads, and will also allow them to become insured and be identified in the case of a car accident.

However, the new licenses will not be legal federal identification, and will also not be valid for boarding planes, obtaining public benefits, or voting. Additionally, the licenses will make it very apparent that the driver is not a U.S. citizen

Several states have already granted undocumented immigrants similar rights, sometimes labeled a "driving privilege card." Illinois, New Mexico, and Washington state are among the states that have enacted similar laws.

Colorado will require illegal immigrants to pass a driving test and prove that they are paying both state and federal taxes. Additionally, they must provide identification from their country of origin.

Governor John Hickenlooper hopes the Colorado law, in conjunction with other states moving in a similar direction, will be the first step in national immigration reform.

"I'm not trying to tell congress what form that takes, any of the details, but we are moving in that direction, and this is something that's a first step" Hickenlooper said.

The bill is not without opponents. Issues with unquestionable identification, and fears of creating more incentive for people to come to the state illegally are among the most pertinent issues surrounding criticism of the new law.

If you are injured in a car accident in the greater Denver metro area, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Source: Undocumented Immigrant Driver's Licenses Bill Signed Into Law In Colorado

Bicycle vs. Car Accident Leaves Cyclist Dead in Lyons

Driver of Car Cited for Careless Driving, DUI, Vehicular Homicide

Patrick Ward

A Lyons man has been charged with several crimes in the death of a cyclist in Lyons, Colorado in an SUV vs bicycle accident.

Patrick Ward, 69, had apparently made comments at previous town meetings about his disdain for the growing number of cyclists in the community. He was charged with suspicion of vehicular homicide, DUI, careless driving resulting in death, and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Ward was apparently driving the wrong way down Main Street in Lyons when he struck and killed 46-year-old Michel Van Duym. Police have noted that it is possible Ward was making a left hand turn at the time of the accident.

Statements made by Ward at the Lyons Planning and Community Development Commission demonstrated his concern for the cyclists in the community. "These people don't belong in Lyons. They certainly don't belong in the foothills around Lyons."

Prosecutor Bruce Langer offered some insight into the severity of the situation. "This is a very serious charge," he said. "Someone lost their life."

Van Duym was a well respected and friendly businessman in the Lyons area. According to his LinkedIn profile, he was the associate director of business development for GHX, a healthcare supply company based in Louisville. 

If you are injured in a car vs bicycle accident, or are involved in a possible wrongful death case, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Sources: Driver arrested after bicyclist killed by SUV in Lyons, Driver arrested in cyclist's death had complained bicyclists 'don't belong' in Lyons, Driver held on $25K bond after Boulder cyclist struck, killed by SUV in Lyons

Police Chase In Thornton Leads to Crash, Injuries

6 People Hurt In High Speed Chase

Police in Thornton have arrested a suspect in a stolen vehicle-turned car chase last Thursday, an incident that ended in an unfortunate crash with another vehicle.

The chase began at approximately 5:15 am, when Northglenn police officers were chasing a suspected stolen vehicle. The pursuit led officers into Thornton, where Thornton police joined the chase. The suspect eventually ran a red light during the chase and collided with another car the intersection of Thornton Parkway and Washington Street. 

The suspect, driving the purported stolen vehicle, attempted to the flee the scene despite his injuries. He was later apprehended and taken to an area hospital. Three passengers in the suspected stolen vehicle also injured and hospitalized. 

Two people from the vehicle not involved in the chase were also taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries.

If you are injured in a car accident in the greater Denver metro area, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Sources: Photos: Six people hurt in Thornton crash after Northglenn police chase alleged car thief, Police chase ends in crash, rollover

Fatal Accident In Aurora Leaves 2 Dead

Infant, Grandfather Killed in Crash

Two people died in an Aurora auto accident last Sunday, and the culpability for the crash has yet to be determined by police officers.

A pickup truck and a burgundy GMC SUV collided on the 17th Pl. bridge off of Fitzsimmons Parkway in Aurora.

The teenage driver and occupants of the pickup truck were not injured and did not seek medical attention. However, two of the the people in the GMC were killed, and the third was in critical condition at an area hospital.

Katalay Ramerez-Cespedes, the baby, and Jaime Humberto Ramerez-Lopez, 40, were killed as a result of the accident. Ramerez-Lopez was the driver of the vehicle and also the baby's grandfather. 

"The light pole and the abutment cause severe damage to the left side of the SUV. It appears that is what killed the driver - and adult male - and a small child in the seat directly behind the driver," opined Lt. Jeff Turner of the Aurora Police Department.

The sole survivor from the SUV, Ramerez-Cespedes' grandmother, was listen in critical condition after the crash. Police have indicated that she is expected to survive.

"It's a tragedy, it's too bad. Obviously a mistake by one of them, and it's very costly," Turner added.

Determining fault for the accident has been a challenge for police officers. The teenage driver of the pickup truck indicated that he had a green light. However, police are actively seeking a potential witness in this case, whom they hope will come forward with relevant information. 

The witness was described as a Spanish-speaking woman. Anyone with information about this witness or the crash itself is encouraged to contact Detective Terry Allen with the Aurora Police Department at (303) 739-6351.

Initial indications by police revealed that the child may not have been properly restrained within the vehicle. Subsequent reports have dispelled those claims, as it appears the child was in fact secured properly.

If you are injured in an auto accident in the greater Denver Metro area, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Source: 2 Dead After Car Wreck At Aurora Intersection

State Patrol: Fatal I-70 Crash Involved Drinking

Underage Driver of Car Was Double the Legal Limit

(photo credit: CDOT)

A fatal semi-truck vs. car crash on April 14 on Westbound 1-70 near Glenwood Springs involved a teenage driver that was nearly double the legal blood alcohol limit, the Colorado State Patrol said Tuesday.

Brianda Zavala, 18, of Glenwood Springs, was driving east in the Westbound lanes in a construction zone when her car collided with a semi-truck. The two passengers in her vehicle also tested positive for alcohol, and were killed as a result of the crash.

Jennifer Navarez, 16, and Albino Ortiz-Monge, 24, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the semi-truck, Peter Zhuchok, 54, was not injured

Initial reports have suggested that two teenage or underage girls were seen drinking at a Glenwood Springs liquor establishment. Colorado Department of Revenue has not commented on this allegation, as an investigation is ongoing.

"Based on the toxicology report, the driver of the 2006 Audi had been under the influence at the time of the crash," indicated State Patrol Trooper Bonnie Collins in a Tuesday press release.

If you are injured by a drunk driver, or any car accident in the greater Denver Metro area, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Sources: Report: Teen driver in fatal I-70 accident was drunk

Denver Taxi Driver Killed in DUI Crash

Junior Soko, 29, Leaves Behind 2 Children

(credit: 9news)

A Denver area cab driver was killed early Monday morning when a vehicle ran a red light at a high speed and struck the cab, which was transporting a 62-year-old passenger.

Junior Soko, 29, was killed as a result of the crash, and was pronounced dead at the scene. It appears the cab was traveling South on Colorado Blvd. when the suspect car apparently ran a red light and collided with the yellow cab.

Soko's passenger was taken to a local hospital and was reportedly in critical condition.

Two men and a woman who were in the suspect vehicle were also taken to the hospital. Denver Police have not been able to interview the three individuals due to their hospitalized state. Police have indicated that they are still investigating which person was driving the suspect vehicle. All three people in the suspect car were not wearing their seat belt.

Police have also expressed the likelihood that alcohol was involved in the crash.

Yellow Cab manager Randy Jenson has set up a fund for the Soko family at Wells Fargo. All proceeds from the fund will go directly to the family. Soko left behind two young girls, aged 13 and 11. Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo location.

"He was a great cabby," Jenson added. "He felt really good about the business he was in. It's truly unfortunate."

If you are injured in a car accident by a drunk driver, or any other accident, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Sources: Taxi driver killed in 2-car crash near City Park in Denver, Taxi Driver Killed in Denver Crash Identified

Fatal Hit and Run in Denver Leaves Longtime Resident and Family Patriarch Dead

Suspect in Custody, Bail set at $50,000

Within the last month, Denver police and safety officials have voiced their concern about a serious, growing problem affecting the city over the course of the initial 3 months of the new year: hit and run accidents, many involving pedestrians.

It appears this trend is continuing. On March 22, two young children were killed and their mother seriously injured after a white SUV mowed them down in a crosswalk on a snowy evening. Just days later, longtime Denver resident and family patriarch Charles Herrera, 85, was killed when a red Pontiac Grand Am sped through a red light and struck Herrera's white sedan.

Herrera's family is devastated. Charles' son John expressed discontent with the bail amount set by police, $50,000.00. "For what she is accused of doing, I would think it would be more than that."

"It's really, really hard." the younger Herrera added. "He was always there for all of us. If there was anything we needed - anything - he would help." he said of his father.

Charles Herrera originally moved to Denver as a young man from New Mexico, and was a well respected resident of his neighborhood and also a great-great-grandfather, his son indicated.

The suspect in this case, Latoya Nelson, 29, has a history of criminal activity dating back to 2001. Her arrest record includes a felony weapons offense in April 2012 and an arrest for aggravated vehicle theft in October 2011.

Latoya's mother Deborah offered support for her daughter, but acknowledged the difficulties lying ahead for the family. "It's terrible. Really sad. It's a long road ahead. We will be there for her." she said.

If you are injured in a car accident, hit and run, or pedestrian vs. auto accident in the greater Denver metro area, you need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney. Call The Law Offices of Robert Paysinger, P.C. today for a free initial consultation. We help injured people - it's all we do!

Source: Bail set for Denver fatal hit-and-run suspect; victim's family mourns, Denver area's pedestrian deaths, hit-and-runs continue to mount Read more: Denver area's pedestrian deaths, hit-and-runs continue to mount