GOLDEN, Colo. (Jun. 11, 2024) – Juan Alexis Ortega Torres was sentenced to 12 years in prison by the First Judicial District Court today for causing a multi-vehicle crash that killed 44-year-old Kresten Wolff Thomsen and seriously injured two children and the driver of another vehicle. On May 15, 2024, Ortega Torres pleaded guilty to three counts: one count of Vehicular Homicide (DUI) and two counts of Vehicular Assault (DUI). Ortega Torres has been in custody since his arrest and faced up to 24 years as a result of his plea.
On Feb. 5, 2024, at 3:30 p.m., Ortega Torres was driving his GMC Sierra at approximately 60mph in a 35mph zone when he ran a red light at West 64th Avenue and Lamar Street in Arvada. Kresten and his two children were on their way home from school and only a few miles from home when they were struck by Ortega Torres’ vehicle. Two additional cars were hit in the crash, and Thomsen’s two children suffered serious bodily injury.
Today, in the courtroom, the sentiments of Kresten Wolff’s loved ones echoed as a resolution was reached in the heartbreaking event that had a profound impact on the Arvada community. Kresten was a devoted husband and father and a talented composer, writer, and musician. Friends and family described Kreston as having a “bigger-than-life personality” and was a “model of how to live.”
“The overwhelming love and admiration for Kresten are palpable,” said Deputy District Attorney Benjamin Hepler. “While no sentence can bring back Kresten or undo the significant trauma experienced by all the people impacted in this tragedy, we hope this consecutive sentence and quick resolution brings some sense of closure to all the victims and Kresten’s loved ones.” Hepler also credited the Arvada Police Department for their thorough and quality investigation, which undoubtedly contributed to the successful outcome.
Ortega Torres also addressed the court briefly. “If I could trade places with Kresten, I would,” he told the court. “I still can’t believe the harm I’ve done to this family.” “I hope people believe me that I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”
Kresten’s wife told the court, “All of the words in all of the languages on earth will never be able to describe what a wonderful man this was.” “Kresten and the loss of him consumes my every thought. I live in a sorrow that is indescribable, unpredictable, and inconsolable. I long for him every minute of every day.”