Texas man with previous DUI pleads guilty to fatal drunk driving crash in Colorado

HUERFANO COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV) – A man convicted of two DUIs in Texas has pleaded guilty to killing someone in a DUI crash in Colorado.

Colorado State Patrol (CSP) released details about the case to the public on Friday. The 3rd Judicial District announced earlier this month that they had reached a plea agreement with Michael Estrada, according to CSP. Estrada pleaded guilty to 2nd degree murder with a crime of violence. Estrada had two other DUI charges in cases in Texas and will now be sentenced in Colorado on two DUI charges and another from an arrest in January.

Estrada is expected to be sentenced on December 19 and serve 20 years in state prison, followed by 5 years of mandatory parole after serving at least 15 years in prison.

The crash occurred at 2:50 pm on March 9 on Colorado Highway 12 at mile marker 13 in Huerfano County.

“The crash involved a 2013 GMC Sierra driven by suspect Michael Estrada and a 1999 Jeep Wrangler driven by victim Brendon Beach,” according to a news release from CSP. “Estrada was traveling between 89 MPH and 93 MPH in a 45 MPH zone and struck Beach head-on at approximately 66 MPH. “When officers arrived at the scene, Beach was found dead from various injuries related to the accident.”

“The accident that took this man’s life and changed his entire family forever was not just a high-speed drunk driving accident; this was a homicide,” said Trooper Yoder of the Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit. “Society’s best hope for reducing drunk driving is to change attitudes and thoughts. “If more people viewed drunk driving as a deliberate and dangerous act, fewer families would suffer these senseless losses.”

During the investigation, officers suspected Estrada was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Estrada was arrested and found to be carrying a 0.134 BAC and 4 ng of marijuana.

“On behalf of the victim’s family, we are grateful to secure a murder conviction for an individual currently convicted of four DUIs,” said Assistant District Attorney Nick Dale, who prosecuted the case. He added: “The District Attorney’s Office appreciates the tireless efforts of the Colorado State Patrol on this case and truly appreciates the support of the victim’s family in reaching this settlement as they suffered the loss of their loved ones due to this senseless bloody act.”

Related Posts