Widow Of Jeffco Deputy Says Driver Never Really Apologized
GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4) - The widow of a Jefferson County deputy who was killed by an elderly driver says she heard nothing but excuses during that man's sentencing hearing on Friday.
"He never really took responsibility," Crystal Baldwin said, referring to Kenneth Hosch, 83. "If it were me and I had taken a person's life, I would say 'I'm very, very sorry and I will accept whatever you give me.' He never did that."
Hosch, of Golden, previously pleaded guilty to crossing a double yellow line on Jan. 26 and striking Jefferson County Sgt. Dave Baldwin head on while he was on duty and riding his motorcycle.
He was sentenced to six years in community corrections, a sentence Baldwin says she's satisfied with.
"I wanted Mr. Hosch to be in a place where he'd think about it every day because we have to think about it every day," she said.
Hosch will only be allowed to leave the locked facility he will be in -- most likely a halfway house -- as part of a program where he will be talking about the dangers of driving after a certain age.
Baldwin's family said they hope the case brings more awareness to the issue of older people who may still be driving but can no longer do so safely.
"None of what happened here today changes our lives," Baldwin said. "We are still without the person who meant everything to us, and we are still devastated beyond imagination.