BRIGHTON — A 28-year-old man plead guilty to a charge of second-degree murder in the death of 68-year-old Debra Blanchard and drew a 24-year sentence in the Department of Corrections.
According to a statement from the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Isaac Aranda drove erratically through the city of Northglenn 15 months ago, such that drivers had to make maneuvers to avoid the vehicle. Aranda struck a vehicle, reversed, struck the vehicle a second time, then left the area.
Shortly after that, Aranda hit and killed Blanchard as she was walking on the sidewalk on the opposite of the street. Aranda fled the area again, but officers arrested him.
District Attorney Brian Mason announced the plea and the sentence April 4.
“This tragedy was entirely avoidable. The defendant’s egregious behavior caused the death of a 68-year-old woman who was simply walking on a Northglenn sidewalk in the middle of the day,” Mason said in the statement. “I hope the victim’s family can find some solace in this conclusion and that the defendant has time to consider the pain he’s caused.”