Judge Rejects Plea Deal For Fatal DUI Driver In Grand County

GRAND COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - A Grand County judge rejected the plea deal for the DUI driver who hit and killed a man walking back from Fourth of July fireworks.

The victim, Gregory Westley, was a boy scout leader and father of eight.

Four other people were hurt.

Ackerman had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit and a previous DUI.

Under the agreement Lucas Ackerman would serve one year in jail for DUI and a four-year deferred judgment on vehicular homicide and assault.

"It was murder. Because the man did not use a gun or a knife, but used a car, it should still be considered murder," said Gregory's mother Connie Westley.

Traffic investigators found the accident would have happened even if Ackerman had not been drinking and the District Attorney thought it would be tough to get a conviction.

The victims' families had agreed to the deal but the judge on Friday said the sentence is too light and sends the wrong message to the community.

Now both sides will have to work out a new deal.