DENVER -- Denver police sent a pointed message to habitual traffic offenders Tuesday.

That message: If you don't have a license to drive, but continue to rack up traffic violations, prepare to have your car crushed.

Police invited the media to Colorado Auto & Parts, a giant salvage and recycling center in Sheridan, where they crushed a 1981 Chevy pickup belonging to Pablo Alcala.

Alcala is spending two years behind bars for a hit-and-run that killed Berdie Friedman in October 2006.

Friedman was crossing West Colfax at Quitman to drop off a letter when Alcala hit her.

He then drove down the street and parked his truck, then walked back on foot pretending to be a good Samaritan. He carried the victim to a bus stop shelter, an then called her husband on his cell phone.

Friedman died a week later.

"It's been very difficult for all of us," said Friedman's daughter, Debie.

The family's grieving was compounded after they learned that Alcala was a habitual traffic offender who was driving without a license.

"The guy doesn't belong on the street," said Harry Friedman, Berdie's husband.

Police feel the same way about Alcala's pickup.

"This vehicle belongs to a habitual traffic offender, and habitual traffic offenders are the worst drivers," said Lt. Donna Starr-Gimeno of the Denver Police Department.

The department sought and won a court order to crush the pickup. That order was carried out Tuesday morning.

In a matter of seconds, the Chevy was reduced to a heap of rubble.

"Normally the wheels and tires would come off, but this being under court order, the whole thing has to be disposed of," said Alice Corns, co-owner Colorado Auto & Parts.

Friedman's family was not impressed.

"It's such a meaningless thing to me," Harry Friedman said. "It's not going to bring her (Berdie) back."

"No one can bring their loved one back," Starr-Gimeno said. "I wish I could. But the real thing is we want to get the message out that if you are a habitual traffic offender and you are thinking about going to the store or the park or some place else, you need to take the bus or your feet or a bicycle."