Crime archive·All records·Crime data
Melissa Powell & Riordan Powell
Vehicular homicide (DUI)
What happened
On December 12, 2023, Menjivar drove an estimated 80–100 mph in a 40 mph zone near Broomfield High School and struck Melissa Powell’s SUV, killing her (46) and her son Riordan (16). His BAC was reported at about .249. Four days earlier he had been sentenced on prior DUIs to work-release but was awaiting a program bed.
Immigration status (as reported)
Reporting (including Denver Post) states he had been deported four times (2009–2015) and returned; he also had multiple prior Colorado DUI convictions.
Legal outcome
Pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide-DUI and was sentenced in November 2024 to 24 years in prison.
Sources
How to read source labels
News outlets are tagged with a perceived lean (liberal, conservative, or neutral)—a simplified reading of common media-bias charts, not a verdict on accuracy. Official records (court filings, prosecutor releases, agency statements, legislative text) are listed separately and are not scored as “news,” though governments and prosecutors also have interests.
Court filings & official records
- Adams/Broomfield DA — sentencing announcementOfficial / court
News coverage
- CBS Colorado — chargingPerceived liberal
- Fox News — prior deportationsPerceived conservative
- Denver Post — 24-year sentencePerceived neutral