http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14355370CENTENNIAL — A man who authorities say caused an accident that killed two women and a 3-year-old boy in an ice cream shop in Aurora in 2008, is on trial this week in Arapahoe County District Court.
Francis Hernandez, who is in his 20s, faces 19 charges, including vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an accident involving death, and child abuse resulting in death.
On Sept. 4, 2008, Hernandez ran a red light and was driving more than 70 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone on Havana Street when he hit a pickup that was making a turn into a hamburger joint at a strip mall, according to authorities.
The impact sent the truck into an ice cream parlor, where 3-year-old Marten Kudlis and others were inside.
Marten Kudlis, 3, died when a truck smashed into a Baskin-Robbins in 2008.
Marten died, as did the driver of the pickup, Patricia Guntharp, 49, and her passenger, Debra Serecky, 51.
During Hernandez's preliminary hearing, defense attorneys argued that Guntharp was responsible for the crash.
A toxicology report found that Guntharp had high levels of methamphetamine in her system.
Hernandez, who is from Guatemala, was in the United States illegally and did not have a valid driver's license.
He had been arrested 16 times previously, including for numerous traffic offenses, but was never deported.
Jury selection started Friday, and opening statements are expected to
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