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Firefighter Charged In Connection With Passenger's Death

DENVER (CBS4)- A Littleton man has been formally charged in connection with the death of a passenger in his SUV last week.

Jeffrey Harrington was charged Wednesday with vehicular homicide and DUI by the Denver District Attorney.

Harrington, 39, was driving a Jeep at about 12:30 a.m. Friday in the 2300 block of North Cherry Creek Drive approaching University Boulevard. Police said he was driving westbound in the eastbound lane.

Police said David "Sparky" Truax, a passenger in the Jeep, opened his door and fell to the ground, striking his head. He died a short time later at Denver Health Medical Center from blunt force injuries.

sparky-truax
David "Sparky" Truax (credit: South Metro Fire)

Truax, 50, was a firefighter and EMT with South Metro Fire Rescue for 10 years.

The charges allege that Harrington was driving drunk when Truax jumped from the moving vehicle, suffering fatal injuries.

Harrington also worked at South Metro Fire Dept. as a firefighter and EMT but left in 2007 as a lieutenant. Harrington and Truax were hired at South Metro Fire on the same day.

Harrington has been released from custody on a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 10, 2012 to be formally advised of the charges.

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