A Brighton-area teen has pleaded guilty in the high-speed Thornton crash that killed a local landscaper and father of eight last March, admitting to felony vehicular homicide, DUI, and facing years behind bars.
Nineteen-year-old David Mendez-Reyes entered a guilty plea to felony vehicular homicide DUI, a charge that carries a four-to-12-year prison range under a plea agreement. Sentencing is set for March 27 in Adams County Court.
Plea Entered In Adams County
Prosecutors say Mendez-Reyes admitted to the charge on Jan. 29 and remains out on bond as the case moves toward sentencing, according to Westword. The 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office says the plea comes with a recommended prison term of four to twelve years. Both sides are expected in an Adams County courtroom on March 27, when a judge will decide the final sentence.
Crash Details And Evidence
Court records say the collision happened on March 20, 2025, at East 120th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard in Thornton. Investigators allege Mendez-Reyes ran a red light while traveling about 117 miles per hour and slammed into the vehicle driven by Christian Santamaria. Santamaria died at the scene.
According to the arrest affidavit, "Mendez-Reyes was found naked and acting erratically" after the crash. Testing showed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.151, and toxicology reports found Delta-9 marijuana in his system, according to Westword.
Family Remembers Santamaria
Friends and relatives told CBS Colorado that Santamaria was a devoted father who loved basketball and Pokémon and had a knack for lifting anyone's spirits. His obituary lists eight children and recalls that "Christian had one of the biggest hearts in the world," according to the funeral notice on Legacy.
Donations And What Comes Next
A fundraiser on GoFundMe, organized by a relative, is collecting donations to help cover funeral costs and support the family. The page lays out how contributions will be used and has drawn support from the community.
Mendez-Reyes is scheduled to return to Adams County Court on March 27 for sentencing, when a judge will decide whether to impose the four-to-twelve-year term outlined in the plea agreement.
