A man with a history of drunk driving has been sentenced to 24 years in jail for triggering a wreck that killed a mother and her teenage son in Broomfield, Colorado.
The incident has had a long-term impact on the surrounding community, especially near Broomfield High School, where the crash happened.
Deadly Crash in Broomfield
The fatal crash occurred on the afternoon of Dec. 12, 2023, near Main Street and Miramonte Boulevard in Broomfield.
Jose Menjivar was driving a Toyota Tundra at a speed of 80 to 100 mph in a 40 mph zone when he slammed into a Mazda SUV at the intersection.
Inside the Mazda were Melissa Powell, 46, and her 16-year-old son, Riordan, a junior at Broomfield High School.
The impact was devastating, sending the SUV off the road and into a tree.
Melissa died at the scene, and Riordan passed away half an hour later at a nearby hospital.
Jose Menjivar’s DUI History
Menjivar’s driving record revealed five previous DUI convictions, with cases dating back to 2007.
He had received probation, short jail sentences, and work release for these offenses but frequently violated court orders and skipped required court appearances.
Shockingly, just four days before the crash, Menjivar had been sentenced to 365 days in a jail work release program for multiple DUIs in Boulder.
However, he had not yet begun serving that sentence due to a lack of available space in the program.
Crash Investigation Findings
Police investigations confirmed that Menjivar was heavily intoxicated at the time of the crash.
His blood alcohol content (BAC) was measured at .249—more than three times the legal limit of .08.
Investigators found two empty beer cans on the truck’s floor and an open case of beer in the backseat, with several missing cans.
Witnesses reported Menjivar driving recklessly, crossing double yellow lines, and speeding past other vehicles before the crash.
His dangerous behavior, combined with his high BAC, made the collision unavoidable and catastrophic.
Community Impact and Sentencing
The tragedy had a significant impact on the Broomfield community, notably Broomfield High School, where Riordan was a student.
Witnesses, particularly students nearby, were horrified by the accident and its aftermath.
Riordan had expressed an early interest in forensic science, and his mother, Melissa, had planned to donate her remains to the discipline, a request that was fulfilled following the tragedy.
As part of a plea deal, Menjivar admitted to two charges of vehicular murder.
The judge condemned him to 24 years in prison.
In addition, he has court hearings in Denver and Boulder for violating probation in past DUI convictions.
This example serves as a sobering warning of the serious dangers of drunk driving.
