Drunk driver who killed former Fort Carson soldier to serve 180 days in jail

The man who killed a former Fort Carson soldier while driving drunk was sentenced to 180 days in jail and four years probation on Thursday.

Daniel Swecker, 47, was traveling on Interstate 25 on February 25, 2012, when he hit and killed 24-year-old Nelson Marvin Canada.

“I respect the court and the process the court employed, but I respectfully and strongly disagree with the decision,” said District Attorney George Brauchler. “This was a guy who was operating on his third DUI. He ran over and killed an active duty soldier, one who had survived a deployment to Afghanistan only to be run over by a repeat drunk driver. Then, Swecker fled the scene to avoid apprehension and responsibility. He never himself said he was responsible for killing this good man. Today he walked out of here not having to spend 10 seconds in prison.”

Swecker was found guilty of vehicular homicide DUI and leaving the scene of a deadly accident on May 27, 2014. Almost two months later, a judge sentenced Swecker to six years in prison but ruled he could stay out on bond while he appealed his conviction.

Swecker’s appeals were denied all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. His motion to have his sentence reconsidered was granted, and a hearing was held Jan. 18. Today the judge issued her decision. Swecker received 90 days jail on each count of which he was found guilty, to be served consecutively. He must report to jail March. 5.

Swecker was from Monument and was in the Air Force. His prior DUIs were out of 4th Judicial District.