Elderly Driver Sentenced To 6 Years In Community Corrections For Death Of Jefferson County Sheriff's Sgt.
DENVER (CBS4)- An 83-year-old man who was driving during a traffic crash that killed a Jefferson County sheriff's deputy has been sentenced to six years in community corrections.
Kenneth Martin Hosch, of Golden, had already pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the Jan. 26 death of Jeffco Sgt. Dave Baldwin when he was sentenced Friday. He will only be allowed to leave that community corrections facility as part of a program where he will be talking about the dangers of driving after a certain age.
He told the judge he didn't remember the moment he slammed head on into the motorcycle.
"Did I see a motorcycle come towards me? I did not," said Hosch in court.
Prosecutors said Hosch was on Colorado 93 north of Golden when he passed another vehicle but remained in the opposite lane for about 1,500 feet. Authorities say he crashed head-on into Baldwin's motorcycle.
Hosch became emotional as he told the court that he didn't realize his age and failing health would impact his driving, "It took me a long time to gather my thoughts and realize that they were telling the truth. I have killed a police officer."
Baldwin was on duty and wearing a helmet at the time. He was a 27-year veteran of the department.
His friends and colleagues testified about Baldwin during the sentencing hearing. They pleaded with the judge to impose a harsh sentence, saying a great man was taken from them too soon.
"I am asking you to put him in prison so that every morning when he opens his eyes he thinks of Dave," said Baldwin's widow Crystal Baldwin.
Baldwin was remembered as a man who dedicated his life to serving the community.
"We know we cannot bring Sgt. Dave Baldwin back. Certainly we feel that the court has an opportunity to send a strong message," said one of Baldwin's fellow deputies.
The judge said the decision to drive nearly 30 mph over the speed limit and to try to pass a vehicle illegally on Highway 93 were reckless and had little to do with age.
Although Baldwin's friends and family say the sentence will not bring their loved one back, they do say it does bring some closure.