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Teen Killed In Deadly Crash Recently Moved To Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, Colo. (CBS4)- The mother of one of the boys involved in a deadly accident in Lakewood says the tragic situation should never have happened.

"It's just a young life that should've been spared," said Cheryl Frenette, the mother of a teen hurt after being struck by a car.

Police in Lakewood have arrested a woman who they say was driving the car that struck two 14-year-old pedestrians, killing one. Police believe prescription medication may be involved.

The crash happened at about 4:52 p.m. Friday in the area of S. Garrison Street and West Baltic Avenue.

Police said the 2004 Kia Spectra, driven by Rhonda Romero, was traveling northbound on S. Garrison Street when it ran off the east side of the road and struck two 14-year old pedestrians.

Robbie Fehlman and Joshua were walking northbound on the sidewalk when they were struck from behind by the car.

lakewood-map
(credit: CBS)

They were walking to meet Joshua's mother at her house so she could take them to a movie.

Robbie was killed. Joshua was treated at St. Anthony West Hospital for non-life threatening injuries and released.

Robbie moved to Lakewood from Elgin, Illinois just two weeks ago.

"Our lives and Robbie's family's lives are changed forever," said Cheryl.

Cheryl knows that it could have been her son struck and killed by the out-of-control car.

"I think about that all the time, how lucky I am for what I have left and how horrible this is for Robbie's parents," said Cheryl.

Investigators believe that prescription medication may have played a role in the crash. Romero, 40, was arrested and charged with one count of vehicular homicide and one count of careless driving.

ROMERO
Rhonda Romero (credit: Lakewood Police Dept.)

"If she was on some kind of medication I would just like her to know my son is extremely traumatized by this and lost a friend that he really clicked with and really liked," said Cheryl.

A woman who saw Romero talking with police after the crash said she appeared very distraught.

"She said, 'I hit him, I didn't see him,'" said witness Launi Parkovich. "She was clearly upset, she said she had a niece that was his age and she said, 'This just came out of nowhere.'"

Romero remains at the Jefferson County Jail.

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