Passenger Wanted In Deadly Crash Turns Self In, Driver Arrested

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The passenger of a car that caused a fatal collision on 6th Avenue in Lakewood has turned herself in to authorities. Alisha Huerena could face more than 20 years in prison. The driver has been arrested.

A grand jury indicted Alisha Huerena for manslaughter and child abuse resulting in serious injury for her alleged role in the accident that killed 51-year-old Kimberly Henderson and injured her 9-year-old son in late July.

Andrew Huerena and Alisha Huerena initially told investigators the accident was caused by a freak series of events. The couple said Alisha Huerena's hand slipped off a car radio and onto the steering wheel when their vehicle hit a bump, leading to the loss of control. It was called distracted driving and blamed on the driver.

That explanation didn't sit right with right with investigators.

Police never found the alleged bump the Huerenas said they hit. Further investigation revealed the couple was violating a protection order restricting their contact and had been fighting.

After interviewing multiple witnesses, the grand jury determined the crash occurred when Alisha Huerena grabbed the steering wheel and violently jerked the car into a different lane. Their car sideswiped Kimberly Henderson's Toyota 4Runner and put it into a violent roll.

Alisha Huerena turned her self in on Monday. Andrew Huerena was arrested Thursday. He will be held without bond until his first court appearance on Friday where he will be advised of his rights.