A 16-year-old undocumented immigrant from Colombia has been arrested by federal immigration agents after previously receiving probation and community service for a fatal crash that killed 24-year-old Kaitlyn Weaver in Aurora, Colorado. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the arrest of the teenager, along with his family who are also in the country illegally.
In July, the Colombian teen was involved in a tragic incident where he crashed his mother’s uninsured vehicle into Weaver’s car while allegedly driving at around 90 mph in a residential neighborhood. Weaver tragically died almost instantly, as described by her father, John Weaver. At the time of the accident, she was heading home from her job and was on the phone with her boyfriend.
ICE’s Denver field office has criticized the Arapahoe District Attorney’s Office for the lenient treatment of the case. They expressed their discontent on social media, stating that for the district attorney, justice meant no jail time for the individual responsible for taking a young woman’s life. In contrast, ICE emphasizes their role in pursuing accountability through arrests and removals for individuals with serious convictions.
Despite the serious nature of the incident, the Colombian teenager was offered a plea deal that resulted in two years of probation instead of incarceration. This decision followed the recent appointment of District Attorney Amy Padden. According to an Arapahoe County Assistant District Attorney, the plea was negotiated by an experienced prosecutor and upheld by a judge after considering input from the Weaver family.
Kaitlyn Weaver was remembered as someone who dedicated her life to helping others. Prior to her job at a drug rehabilitation center, she volunteered for a suicide hotline, striving to make a positive impact on people’s lives.
While the situation is undoubtedly tragic, the recent actions taken by ICE may provide a sense of justice to those affected by the loss of Kaitlyn Weaver. As discussions surrounding immigration and accountability continue, this case sheds light on the complexities of the legal system and the consequences of reckless driving.