He asked that Claycomb be placed on probation and required to attend therapy and complete community service. He also wore the inmate costume at the request of a girl, before he was charged, and didn't intend harm, Burstein said. Following the crash, Claycomb and his family moved to Oklahoma. In response to the other concerns, Burstein said, Claycomb tested positive for alcohol because he had a drink on the plane when he flew in with his mother for the interview, adding alcohol wasn't a factor in the crash. "Truly, from the bottom of my heart, I am so deeply sorry to everyone that was involved," he said. Claycomb also read a short apology statement before he was sentenced. "This is someone who is annoyed, annoyed at what comes after you kill two people."Ĭlaycomb's attorney Stephen Burstein countered that Claycomb is remorseful, saying he cried as he discussed how the crash affected others during the interview. "This is not someone who has been deeply impacted or feels badly about what they have done," she said. In the presentence investigation report, she said, he described the one counseling session he attended following the crash as "the most ridiculous thing I have ever done." He also said his consequences should be limited to a speeding ticket, and he tested positive for having alcohol in his system at the interview, she said. She argued that a longer sentence also was deserved because Claycomb "has accepted pretty much no responsibility," pointing to him wearing an inmate costume to a Halloween party not long after the crash, insensitive online comments and several statements he made while being interviewed during the presentence investigation. "To say that their family members are devastated is an understatement," she said. But prosecutors said that even the low end of the estimates put Claycomb well above the speed limit.Īt Friday's sentencing, Boulder County Deputy District Attorney McKenna Mayfield asked for the maximum sentence of one year in jail, saying it still would fall short given the loss experienced by the victims' families. However, according to the affidavit, investigators did a crash reconstruction and determined Claycomb was driving more than 100 mph in a 65 mph zone.ĭuring the four-day trial, attorneys presented different crash reconstruction reports that had different conclusions of Claycomb's speed. Initial reports from the state patrol noted Claycomb did not appear to be intoxicated and would have technically had the right of way with the Melansons at a stop sign on Oxford Road. Claycomb was able to get out of his car and suffered only minor injuries. Both Robert and Cindi Melanson were declared dead at the scene, according to prosecutors. The impact caused both vehicles to roll and catch fire. 10, 2020, when he struck the Melansons' Ford F-150 pickup truck as they were crossing the Diagonal Highway while traveling east on Oxford Road. I am grateful to the prosecution team for all their efforts to secure the right outcome for the victims and our community."Īccording to an arrest affidavit, Colorado State Patrol investigators determined Claycomb was at fault in a crash that killed Robert Melanson, 58, and Cindi Melanson, 57, both of Longmont.Ĭlaycomb, who lived in Firestone at the time of the crash, was driving a BMW south on the Diagonal Highway on Oct. "Through the callous nature of both his driving and his statements for sentencing, this defendant has demonstrated a complete lack of responsibility and remorse. "Based on the jury's verdicts, the defendant faced a maximum of one year in jail," District Attorney Michael Dougherty said in a written statement. He also was found not guilty on two counts of vehicular homicide, a felony.
DRAFTSIGHT 2020 CRASHING TRIAL
Hunter Claycomb, 21, was found guilty of the misdemeanor and traffic offense following a jury trial in March.
DRAFTSIGHT 2020 CRASHING DRIVER
30-A driver found guilty of careless driving resulting in death and speeding in a crash on the Diagonal Highway that killed two people in 2020 was sentenced on Friday to 180 days in jail and 120 hours of community service.
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