Colorado Man Sentenced for 2nd Degree Murder in Fatal DUI Crash in Fourth DUI Conviction

Description: The Colorado State Patrol Public Affairs Office Judicial District Released the Following Statement...

Colorado Drunk Driver with Multiple DUI Arrests Pleads Guilty to 2nd Degree Murder

(Huerfano County, COLORADO) – The 3rd Judicial District announced that their office reached an agreement on October 21, 2024, with Michael Estrada for 2nd Degree Murder with a crime of violence. Estrada will be sentenced on December 19, 2024, to serve a sentence of 20 years in state prison, followed by 5 years of mandatory parole after a minimum of 15 years served.

On March 9, 2024, at 2:50 PM, the Colorado State Patrol was dispatched to a serious injury crash on CO 12 at mile maker 13. The crash involved a 2013 GMC Sierra driven by suspect Michael Estrada and a 1999 Jeep Wrangler driven by the victim Brendon Beach. Estrada was traveling between 89 MPH and 93 MPH in a 45 MPH zone and hit Beach head-on at approximately 66 MPH. When Troopers arrived on the scene, Beach was found dead from various injuries related to the crash.

While investigating, Troopers suspected Estrada to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Estrada was arrested and discovered to have a BAC of .134 and 4 ng of marijuana.

“The crash that took this man’s life and forever changed an entire family wasn’t just a high-speed drunk-driving crash; it was murder,” stated Trooper Yoder, Colorado State Patrol Vehicular Crimes Unit. “Changing attitudes and thoughts is the community’s best hope for reducing drunk driving. If more people regarded drunk driving as a deliberate and dangerous act, fewer families would grieve these senseless losses.”

“On behalf of the victim’s family, we are grateful to have secured a murder conviction for what is now a four-time convicted DUI offender,” stated Deputy District Attorney Nick Dale, who prosecuted the case. He added, “The District Attorney’s Office thanks the tireless effort of the Colorado State Patrol in this case and truly appreciates the support of the victim’s family in reaching this agreement as they grieve the loss of their loved one due to this senseless murderous act.” 

Estrada had two other DUI convictions in cases from Texas, and will now be convicted of two more DUIs in Colorado, one from the case described above and another stemming from an arrest in January.

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