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Man found guilty in hit-and-run crash that injured 10-year-old girl in Arvada

Posted at 12:01 PM, Aug 26, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-26 14:01:43-04

GOLDEN, Colo. — A Jefferson County jury last week found a man guilty in the hit-and-run of a 10-year-old girl who was walking home from school in Arvada last year, officials announced Wednesday.

Jose Morales-Reyes, 51, was convicted Friday on charges of leaving the scene of an accident with serious bodily injury, vehicular assault-reckless, driving while ability impaired and reckless driving.

The victim, who survived the crash, was walking home from school with her six-year-old sister on Nov. 8, 2019, when Morales-Reyes drover over a curb and crashed into her near 58th and Carr in Arvada, officials said.

According to trial testimony, Morales-Reyes continued along the curb for another 65 feet and then drove away. He drove in a circle and passed back by the crash scene before he ultimately turned himself into police.

Police said drugs and alcohol were a factor in the crash.

The victim suffered two broken legs, a broken arm, a concussion, a laceration on her stomach and a grade 4 laceration to her liver. Her six-year-old sister was not injured.

Morales-Reyes faces up to nine years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 30.