Man sentenced for Lafayette father’s death, kidnap of good Samaritan’s daughter

DENVER (KDVR) — A Fort Lupton man who pled guilty in February to three charges related to a fatal crash on Nov. 2, 2022, was sentenced last week to serve 45 years in the Department of Corrections.

Anthony Eagle, 48, was driving drunk and was on probation for a previous drunk driving offense in Adams County when he hit a truck at the intersection of Weld County Road 16 and County Road 19, according to investigators.

The crash led to the death of Jesus Rios, 38, of Lafayette.

According to the 19th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, a good Samaritan pulled over to help shortly after the crash occurred, but when the man exited his vehicle, Eagle stole the truck with the witness’ 15-year-old daughter inside.

The DA reported that the teen was able to jump out of the moving truck before Eagle also crashed that car. The teen’s father addressed the court during the Friday sentencing.

“Every single day, sometimes twice a day, I drive past a cross,” the good Samaritan said, according to the DA’s Office. “Every time I drive by it, my heart sinks. Maybe keep harmful people locked up instead of a slap on the wrist. There’s no reason why this man should have been out on bond.”

In February, Eagle pled guilty under a plea agreement to one count of driving under the influence – fourth or subsequent offense, second-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping. As part of the agreement, the parties stipulated a sentencing range of 35 to 45 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Weld County District Court Judge Marcelo Kopcow sentenced Eagle to the maximum of 45 years.

Eagle has been convicted of six prior alcohol-related driving offenses in Adams, Jefferson, Clear Creek, Denver and Arapahoe counties for crimes committed as far back as 1994.

The DA reported that both of Rios’ teenage daughters provided statements during the sentencing hearing.

“My life completely changed for the worse,” one daughter said, according to the DA. “He was the light in my world. For my high school graduation, a picture was all I was able to have. Never in a million years did I think I would have to close a casket on my dad.”

“To me, my dad was my entire world,” the DA reported one of Rios’ daughters telling the judge. “He’s the man I’ll always look up to. He won’t be here anymore to congratulate me or my siblings for any of our achievements. I not only lost my dad, I lost my best friend.”

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