Broomfield Defendant Convicted of Vehicular Homicide That Killed Two People on Side of Interstate Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison

Broomfield, CO — Today, District Attorney Brian Mason is announcing the conviction and prison sentence for Dusti Arensdorf, 43, related to an accident that killed two people on Interstate 25 in Broomfield on October 6, 2023.  

On the night of October 6, 2023, 71-year-old Shuangyue Chen and his son were changing a flat tire on their vehicle while parked along the shoulder of Interstate 25 near Mile Marker 28 in Broomfield. According to witnesses, Dusti Arensdorf was driving erratically in the area at the time. They said the defendant was driving aggressively and weaving in and out of traffic at well over 100 miles per hour.  

A short time later, Arensdorf plowed into the parked vehicle and those who were standing outside of it. Shuangyue Chen was struck and killed. Yajing Liu, 35, Chen’s daughter-in-law, was ejected from the parked vehicle as it rolled into a field next to the interstate. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Liu’s husband, who is also Chen’s son, as well as Liu’s three-year-old son, who was inside the car, were seriously injured but survived.  

Arensdorf was pulled from her vehicle after it came to rest, and witnesses noted a smell of alcohol on her breath. Arensdorf admitted to drinking “a couple of hard seltzers that night.” At the hospital, the defendant’s blood alcohol level was a .343. The legal limit is .08. Arensdorf has three prior DUI convictions in addition to this case.  

On April 18, 2024, Arensdorf pleaded guilty to Vehicular Homicide—DUI (F3) (2 Counts) and Vehicular Assault—DUI (F4). On May 31, 2024, Broomfield District Court Judge Priscilla Loew sentenced Arensdorf to 24 years in the Department of Corrections followed by three years of parole.  

“The defendant’s choices to drink and drive have completely destroyed an innocent family,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “This was a horrific, unspeakable crime – and it was a horrific crime scene, that no one should have to see. A mother and a grandfather were taken from a small child as a result of the egregious actions of this defendant. Let this serve as another horrifying example of the dangers of drunk driving. It’s imperative that we strengthen our vehicular homicide laws and increase the penalty for those who drink and drive and, in the process, kill other human beings, as happened here. My sincere, heartfelt condolences go out to the family of these innocent victims.”  

“This senseless tragedy took an emotional toll on everyone involved, including the first responders who helped assess and investigate the crash scene,” Broomfield Chief of Police Enea Hempelmann said. “I commend the hard work of each person involved in bringing this case to resolution and extend my deepest condolences to the victims’ family and friends as they continue to navigate life without their loved ones.” 

Senior Deputy District Attorney Kate Armstrong and Deputy District Attorney Taylor Bast handled the prosecution of this case.  

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