Truck driver found guilty on some charges in crash that killed Colorado State Patrol Trooper in 2016
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- A semi-truck driver was found guilty on two counts and not guilty on another charge related to the 2016 death of a Colorado State Patrol Trooper.
In November of 2016, Trooper Cody Donahue was hit and killed on I-25, just south of Castle Rock. At the time of his death, Donahue was investigating a crash scene.
Noe Gamez-Ruiz, 46, was driving a tractor trailer at the time he hit Donahue. He was arrested shortly after the accident.
9News reports Gamez-Ruiz was found guilty of the following charges:
- Careless driving - passing an emergency vehicle resulting in death
- Failure to maintain a single lane
He was not found guilty on another charge of careless driving.
His sentencing is schedule for July 30. Gamez-Ruiz faces up to 12 months in prison, but is eligible for probation.
A more serious charge of criminally negligent homicide was dismissed by a judge as part of a sanction of the prosecution following a second mistrial in the case, according to 9News.
Donahue’s death led then-Gov. John Hickenlooper to sign the Move Over For Cody Act, which increases penalties for drivers who don’t move over a lane when passing emergency vehicles or tow trucks.
