Coban Porter Sentenced for Fatal DUI Crash

DENVER — Denver District Attorney Beth McCann today announced that Denver District Court Judge Ericka Englert has sentenced Coban Porter to six years in prison for Vehicular Homicide-DUI and two years in prison for Vehicular Assault-DUI.  The sentences will run concurrently.  Porter pleaded guilty to the charges in February 2024.

On January 22, 2023, Porter was driving drunk on East Buchtel Boulevard and South University Boulevard when he hit a car driven by 42 year-old Katharina Rothman.  Katharina, who was driving for Uber at the time, was killed; her passenger, a 47 year-old man, was seriously injured but survived.

“Katharina’s death was a terrible tragedy and my heart breaks for her family and friends.  She was a loving and devoted mother, daughter, sister and friend who should still be with us today,” said DA McCann. “We appreciate that Mr. Porter took accountability for his behavior from the beginning and expressed deep sorrow for his actions. However, given the severity of Mr. Porter’s crimes, the prison sentence he received is appropriate. I commend the Denver Police Department officers and the members of my office for the way they handled this case, which I hope will serve as a cautionary tale of the disasters that often result when people drink and drive.”

About the Denver DA’s Office:

Our mission is to professionally and competently prosecute crimes and investigate criminal activity on behalf of the people of Colorado, and to seek equal justice for all in the criminal justice system. Our mission also includes preventing crime, supporting the well-being of victims, being involved in the community, being transparent and accountable, and improving the criminal justice system to provide fair alternatives to incarceration in appropriate cases.

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