Colorado
Colorado drunk driver receives life sentence after killing Air Force serviceman father of four at gas station
Your Reporter Olivia Young specializes in coverage of Douglas County in Colorado. Share you story ideas with her by sending an email to yourreporter@cbs.com.
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In a Douglas County courtroom, loved ones of Lt. Col. Matthew Anderson delivered heartbreaking impact statements, asking the judge to deliver a harsh sentence for the man who killed their husband and father.
The U.S. Air Force colonel and father of four was killed by a drunk driver in 2024 while their family was stopped at a gas station.
In April, the jury found Paul Stephenson guilty of first-degree murder and driving under the influence, among other charges. On Thursday, a judge sentenced Stephenson to life in prison, plus 92 years.
In court, Anderson’s wife said she and her four children were traumatized by the violent and preventable death of their father. She spoke about how she will never get to grow old with Matt, how he won’t be there for his children’s weddings and graduations, and how her youngest won’t have any memories of him.
Other family members said Anderson was a family man, an Air Force pilot and former Division I athlete who will be deeply missed.
“He was our baby brother, but so much more,” said Jill Anderson, the military veteran’s sister.
Jill described her brother as a perfect child and someone everyone looked up to.
“Justice, that’s all we have. That’s all we have to give us some kind of closure,” Jill said.
For the first time, images released by the district attorney’s office showed the family the day Matt Anderson was killed — Aug. 4, 2024.
The family of six had enjoyed a day at the Douglas County Fair before stopping at at 7-Eleven.
While Matt gassed the car up and his wife went inside to get popsicles, prosecutors say Paul Stephenson veered across four lanes of traffic.
Video from 7-Eleven shows the horrifying moment his truck crashes into the Anderson family car, Matt’s wife witnessing the crash from outside their family’s vehicle.
The couple’s children were injured, and Matt Anderson was killed.
“When Matt was murdered by that guy, his four kids, they made it through it,” said Wayne Anderson, Matt’s father, who called their survival miraculous.
Tyler Yowell, a Castle Rock Police Department investigator, got choked up when speaking about the case in court, recalling one of the children saying, “My daddy died. He can’t play with me anymore.”
Prosecutors also showed the court body camera footage from officers on scene, depicting the chaos and pain of the family in the aftermath of the crash.
“You need to pray for your soul, Paul,” said Wayne Anderson, addressing the driver directly in court.
At the time of the crash, Stephenson’s blood alcohol content was 2.5 times the legal limit. He has a criminal history of domestic violence and prior DUIs.
Prosecutors say he drank a pint of Fireball whiskey and two Bud Lights, and was on his way to the liquor store when he struck the family car. They say he took no accountability and was more worried about damage to his truck when questioned by officers.
In court, Stephenson said it wasn’t a fair trial and, “I’m sorry we’re all here.”
The judge said she was “baffled” by his lack of empathy and accountability before she handed down a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 92 years.
Matt’s family hopes his loss — and Stephenson’s sentence — will deter people from drinking and driving.
“It’s a real relief to hear the judge, how she was affected by this whole thing,” Mike’s father said. “I just feel better that today is kind of done and can get on with it. It won’t be easy for any of us. There’s a lot of us involved.”
DENVER (KDVR) — A Colorado teenager who lost her leg in a shark attack isn’t just walking again; she’s sharing the spotlight with one of her favorite hockey players.
Seventeen-year-old Annabelle Carlson took the runway Sunday at the Colorado Avalanche’s annual charity brunch, an event that raises money for community programs supported by Kroenke Sports Charities. The fundraiser, now in its third decade, is considered one of the team’s most impactful events of the year.
Carlson walked arm-in-arm with Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, drawing applause from a crowd of more than 450 attendees.
Standing tall again has been a long journey for the Colorado high school student. Carlson lost her leg after surviving a shark attack during a family trip to Belize in 2024. Since then, she has undergone multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
“I think being negative about things like this — it takes such a toll on how you view yourself and how you get through things,” Carlson said. “But I’d rather see everything like, not everything you lose is a loss.”
Carlson has now returned to skiing and hopes to pick back up with playing her favorite sport, lacrosse. But it took a lot of guts and resilience to get to where she is now.
“In my eyes, she’s extraordinary,” Landeskog said. “What she’s gone through at that age, it’s not easy to do.”
The charity event highlights children who have overcome serious medical challenges, pairing them with Avalanche players for a runway walk to spotlight their strength. Players also served brunch and helped auction off team gear and game tickets.
“It was really cool to meet him,” Carlson said of Landeskog. “It’s definitely a flex. Not everyone gets to meet the Avalanche. I’m super lucky and super excited to be here.”
Having gone through some injuries of his own, including damage to his knee, which took him out of play for several seasons, Landeskog said Carlson’s attitude is remarkable.
“She’s young, she’s brave,” he said. “I feel like she’s got a better head on her shoulders than I do, so I feel like I can learn a lot from her as well.”
The team said many players stay in touch with the children and their families long after the event ends, adding that the annual brunch is a day the whole team looks forward to each year.
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