Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Sad.

Ever come across a news story, and for some reason it just sticks with you? This one has done just that. It has made me think that I should probably pay more attention when I am out and about, instead of rocking my media player, and playing chicken with automobiles.

I feel sorry for the guy, and their friends and families.

Man who lost family in hit-and-run out of hospital

DENVER - The man who lost his wife and children after they were hit by a pickup truck while crossing the street was released from the hospital Monday evening.

Frank Bingham, 41, was released from the hospital around 7 p.m., according to his brother-in-law.

Bingham, his wife, 39-year-old Rebecca, and two children, 4-year-old Macie and 2-year-old Garrison, were hit while walking through the crosswalk at 15th Street and Arapahoe Street Friday night.

Rebecca, Macie and Garrison were killed.

Relatives of the Bingham family released new pictures of the children on Monday. They say the children loved to dress up and died wearing some of their costumes. Macie was dressed as a princess, and Garrison had on a Superman cape.

Through court documents, 9NEWS has confirmed the driver who police say hit the Binghams, Lawrence Trujillo, admitted to being drunk, knew he hit pedestrians and attempted to hide his truck from police.

The documents show Trujillo told Denver Police he was driving the truck.

Police documents also showed Eric Snell admitted to being the passenger. Trujillo also confirmed Snell was the passenger, documents stated.

The police report also states Trujillo "admitted to being too intoxicated to drive, he was aware he had struck pedestrians, and attempted to hide his vehicle from the police."

9NEWS has also learned investigators have video of the area just before the accident. While investigators will not say from where the video was obtained, the area surrounding the intersection of 15th Street and Arapahoe Street has traffic cameras and buildings in the area also have cameras. Investigators also say they have video of Trujillo running red lights before reaching the interesection. They are still in the process of reviewing more video and are hoping video of the accident will emerge.

In addition to court documents and video, 9NEWS has confirmed the two suspects had been drinking prior to the accident at several downtown bars.

The police report also states that the pickup truck involved in the accident is registered to Laura Rokosz of Westminster.

When questioned by police, Rokosz told police her husband and his friend Eric Snell arrived at her home with the truck, attempted to remove steel pipes off of the pickup and then tried to park the truck inside the garage.

Rokosz also told police Trujillo and Snell got into another vehicle and left the home.

The report also provided details about the arrest of suspected passenger Eric Snell.

In the report, police say Snell was pulled over in the 1400 block of Osage Street for a traffic violation. Police suspected he was under the influence and eventually arrested him for investigation of DUI.

Later on, according to the report, Snell admitted to detectives he was a passenger in the truck during the accident; he knew Trujillo was drunk and driving recklessly and was also aware an accident had occurred during which time pedestrians were struck.

Snell also admitted to trying to hide the truck in Trujillo's garage, according to official documents.

The Binghams have now established both a visitation and memorial for Rebecca, Macie and Garrison.

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