A fatal two-car crash on South Federal Boulevard was the result of a drag race gone wrong, according to the Denver District Attorney.
Charges filed by DA Beth McCann allege that Ernestina Rosendo-Ponce, 39, was behind the wheel of a green Cadillac sedan on Jan. 29. Rosendo-Ponce is accused of participating in a drag race at the time of the collision, according to the DA's office. She also is accused of drinking prior to the crash.
Rosendo-Ponce had been charged only a few weeks prior for driving under restraint, or without a license, according to state records.
Rosendo-Ponce allegedly struck another vehicle at the intersection of South Federal Boulevard and Kentucky Street at about 2:30 p.m., according to the DA's office and police documentation. The other driver was seriously injured and a passenger was killed, according to prosecutors.
An officer alleged that her vehicle "was seen attempting to flee the scene on foot," according to a statement of probable cause. The defendant told an emergency responder that she had drank three beers about four hours prior, the document states.
The woman who was killed, Shuvonne Wickard, was a mother of four children and the wife of the driver, according to KDVR, which described it as a T-bone collision.
Rosendo-Ponce has a lengthy record of driving infractions dating at least to 2006, including prior guilty pleas to driving under restraint, careless driving, speeding, operating an unsafe vehicle and operating without proof of insurance.
The charges in the current case include vehicular homicide (DUI), vehicular homicide (reckless), vehicular assault (DUI), vehicular assault (reckless) and leaving the scene of a crash involving death, according to court records.
A fundraiser for the victim's funeral expenses has raised $4,400 of a $6,000 goal on GoFundMe.
Rosendo-Ponce's bail was set at $50,000 and her next court date is Feb. 8.
