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Woman sentenced for hit-and-run that left construction flagger dead

Kathleen Sugaski, 44, pleaded guilty in March to a charge of vehicular homicide-DUI.

DENVER — A woman charged with leaving the scene of an accident that left a construction flagger dead has been sentenced to eight years in prison. 

Kathleen Sugaski, 44, pleaded guilty in March to a charge of vehicular homicide-DUI, according to court documents. Four other charges were dismissed. 

RELATED: Woman who hit, killed construction flagger in RiNo takes plea deal

The Denver Police Department (DPD) said 55-year-old Jose Ocampo, Sr. and another construction flagger were hit near the intersection of 29th Street and Arkins Court in the River North Arts District in September 2021. 

The victims were taken to a hospital, DPD said, where Ocampo was pronounced dead. 

>WATCH ABOVE: Son mourns loss of construction flagger hit, killed in Denver 

A Medina Alert was issued, and Sugaski's abandoned SUV was found a few blocks away from the scene of the crash. 

DPD said a detective contacted Sugaski later that day and found that she showed signs of impairment including slurred speech, the smell of alcohol on her breath and swaying. 

Court records show the following charges were dismissed as part of a plea deal:

  • Leaving the scene of an accident involving death
  • Vehicular homicide-reckless driving
  • Leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury
  • Vehicular assault-reckless

RELATED: Man arrested in connection to fatal hit-and-run

RELATED: 'Several' arrests made in Lakewood hit-and-run, police say

Credit: Denver Police

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