Defendant Convicted of Vehicular Homicide DUI for Causing Crash That Killed Two, Including Commerce City Police Officer

Brighton, CO — Today, District Attorney Brian Mason is announcing the Vehicular Homicide -- DUI conviction for Fructuoso Rosales-Cano, 49, following a three-day jury trial in Adams County District Court.  

On October 16, 2020, Fructuoso Rosales-Cano was driving his Ford F-350 westbound on Highway 2 near Turnberry Parkway in Commerce City. Detective Curt Holland, of the Commerce City Police Department, was driving eastbound in his Ford Explorer while on duty. Francesca Dominguez was behind Detective Holland in her Kia Soul.  

Rosales-Cano was speeding and passing slower cars. The defendant overcorrected to avoid side-swiping the barrier wall on the right side of the highway. As a result, Rosales-Cano swerved into oncoming traffic and collided with Detective Holland’s driver’s side door. The defendant’s truck then rotated, tipped, and crushed Dominguez’s Kia Soul. Construction materials from Rosales-Cano's truck ripped off the roof of her vehicle. Dominguez and Detective Holland died instantly from what the medical examiner described as “devastating injuries.” Rosales-Cano suffered life-threatening injuries but survived the crash.  

A search of Rosales-Cano's vehicle led to the discovery of a number of empty beer cans, small liquor bottles, and a truck that smelled strongly of alcohol. Rosales-Cano's blood alcohol content was .294, more than three times the legal limit in Colorado. Rosales-Cano was previously convicted of DUI in 1997 and 2006.  

On November 14, 2024, following a three-day jury trial in Adams County District Court, an Adams County Jury convicted Rosales-Cano of Vehicular Homicide – DUI (2 Counts) (F3) and Driving Under the Influence 2+ Priors (2 Counts) (M). On January 9, 2025, at 8:30am in Division L an Adams County District Court Judge will sentence the defendant.  

“The damage caused by this defendant is truly unfathomable,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “Because of one man’s indefensible decision to drink and drive, two innocent victims are dead and countless lives are shattered. Francesca Dominguez did not deserve to be taken from her loved ones. Detective Curt Holland should still be alive today serving the community he loved with his wife and two children by his side. Although the jury’s decision cannot bring them back, I am nevertheless grateful to law enforcement, my team at the District Attorney’s Office, and the families of the victims for seeing this case through and securing this just verdict.” 

“MADD Colorado is grateful for the hard work and dedication that everyone from the 17th Judicial District put toward this case,” said Rebecca Green, MADD Colorado Executive Director. “Recognizing that it was a long and arduous process, the effort towards justice is significant and meaningful to the families involved. MADD is also grateful to the Commerce City police department and Colorado State Patrol for investigating this crash and taking another impaired and dangerous driver off the road. We honor Francesca Dominguez, Detective Curt Holland and all victims of these preventable crimes as we work every day to prevent future crashes and support victims and survivors across Colorado.” 

Senior Deputy District Attorney Natalie Scarpella and Senior Deputy District Attorney Todd Bluth led the prosecution of this case.  

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