2 days ago
Woman fatally hit cyclist, then drove off, CO officials say. She gets prison
A woman accused of killing a bicyclist in a hit-and-run is heading to prison, Colorado officials said.
Ana Caren Romero, 25, was sentenced to five years behind bars after pleading guilty to vehicular homicide, the Weld County District Attorney's Office said in a June 12 news release.
McClatchy News couldn't immediately reach an attorney for Romero on June 13.
Romero is accused of hitting and killing Michael Wallen on Dec. 4, 2023, prosecutors said.
Wallen, whose age wasn't provided, was riding a bike in Greeley when Romero struck him, according to prosecutors. Romero didn't stop to help him, prosecutors said.
Police found debris from a Jeep Grand Cherokee at the scene, according to prosecutors.
Romero's attorney got in touch with police the day of the wreck and said 'their client's vehicle had been involved in an accident and was at her home,' according to prosecutors.
Romero's 2019 Jeep matched witness descriptions and video, had damage to its front end and had paint transfer appearing to match Wallen's bike, prosecutors said.
Romero was indicted in September 2024, pleaded guilty in February and was sentenced June 12.
'The defendant is here today because of the choices she made. She chose to drive away. She chose to not call 911. She chose to not render aid,' Deputy District Attorney Katherine Fitzgerald said, according to the news release.
Fitzgerald added that, 'There's nothing more serious than when someone is killed. Michael Wallen is no longer with us because of the choices she made that night.'
