Closing The Book On The Crash
Thursday, October 23rd, 2025
My 1980 Honda CB750 Custom before its front end got smashed.
In the last three days, and in another four, three events have occurred/will occur that should effectively close the book on my crash with a drunk driver. On Monday I finally got the police report of the crash, and Monday of next week I will see my neurosurgeon presumably for the last time and will be free to resume my life in full. And then yesterday I got a report from the Arapahoe County DA on the sentencing of the guy who ran into me. The case is wrapped, and soon my recovery will officially be at an end. Finally.
I had wondered about the sentencing. I knew there had been a hearing at which the judge had rejected the DA’s proposed plea bargain and instead insisted on harsher punishment. I actually had it on my to-do list yesterday to email the person in the DA’s office who I have been in contact with to ask about the sentencing and then there it was in yesterday’s mail.
The recap is that he was sentenced to 24 months of probation, separate on two counts but presumably to be served concurrently, plus 48 hours of community service. Between a long list of fines and assessments he will also have to pay a total of $2,835.50. This list is pretty interesting. If you, like me, have never been on the defense side of a court case you may find this a bit of a surprise. I’m not at all sure what some of these mean. Leaf fine?
Count 2, Driving Under the Influence Per Se (misdemeanor)
$78 — Victim Compensation Fine
$10 — Restorative Justice Charge
$25 — Public Defender Appl Receivable
$25 — Request for Time to Pay
$2.50 — Genetic Testing Service Charge
$90 — Leaf Fine
$200 — Alcohol Evaluation Fee
$25 — Traumatic Brain Injury Fund
$1200 — Probation – Supervision Fee
$5 — Court Security Cash Fund
$35 — Court Costs Prior to 6/6/03
$5 — Rural Youth Alcohol/Substance Abuse Surcharge
$100 — Persistent Drunk Driving Surcharge
$600 — Drive Under Influence/Ability Impaired
$222 — Victim Assistance 37% Fine 050103
$2 — Sub Aff.Driving Data Surcharge
Count 6, Vehicular Assault-Reckless (Level 5 felony)
$163 — Victim Assistance 37% Fine 050103
From here, the DA’s office will keep me informed of the progress of this fellow’s probation and alcohol treatment program. That is, they tell me, the only thing to be reported will be if he fails them along the way, plus the fact he has successfully completed them if he does. I’m hoping he does. On the whole, I’d say he came out of this a lot worse off than I did, but it will really be a good thing for him if this helps him beat that monkey that has been on his back. And our roads will be safer.
Now at last I’m going to be able to ride again and I can get back to my main focus, writing about riding motorcycles. I’m really looking forward to that.
Biker Quote for Today
100 reasons not to date a biker: 28. If another bike or car wants to race, you better hold on.
