Man Sentenced in Broomfield to 24 Years in Prison for Causing Fatal DUI Crash That Killed Mother, Son

Broomfield, CO – Today, District Attorney Brian Mason is announcing the 24-year prison sentence for Jose Menjivar, 37, following his guilty plea to Vehicular Homicide (F3) (2 Counts) on September 19, 2024.  

On December 12, 2023, Jose Menjivar drove his pickup truck at speeds estimated to be between 80 and 100 miles per hour in a 40 mile per hour zone near Main Street and Miramonte Boulevard in Broomfield. Menjivar crossed the double yellow centerline as he passed other vehicles. Eventually, Menjivar struck 46-year-old Melissa Powell’s SUV as she turned left from Miramonte onto Main Street. Powell and her 16-year-old son Riordan Powell died as a result of the crash.  

Officers discovered an overwhelming odor of alcohol coming from Menjivar’s vehicle. There were at least two empty beer cans, and an open beer can found inside the pickup truck. A blood draw determined Menjivar’s blood alcohol content to be .249 (hospital toxicology report); .193 (CBI toxicology), more than three times the legal limit.  

Menjivar is believed to have at least five previous DUI convictions, spanning back to 2007. On December 8, 2023, Menjivar was sentenced to 365 days in a jail work release program for three separate DUIs in Boulder, but he was granted a stay of execution on that sentence until a space became available in the Boulder jail’s work release program. 

On November 22, 2024, a Broomfield County District Judge sentenced Menjivar to 24 years in the Department of Corrections.  

Chief Deputy District Attorney Kristen Baker and Senior Deputy District Attorney Derek McAnnar led the prosecution of this case.  

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