Man charged with killing mom and 2 children by driving through crosswalk in Denver

Sunday, November 12th 2006, 4:01 pm

By: News On 6

DENVER (AP) A man was charged Sunday with killing a mother and two children in a stroller by driving drunk through a red light and striking the family in a crosswalk, then leaving the scene.

Lawrence Trujillo was ordered held in lieu of $250,000 bail. Magistrate Beth Faragher also ordered him to stay away from the father, who was in fair condition at Denver Health Medical Center with nerve damage to his right arm and bruises.

Lynn Kimbrough, spokeswoman for the district attorney's office, said such orders are fairly routine in cases where victims have suffered violent attacks.

Trujillo is accused of driving a pickup through a red light in downtown Denver on Friday night at high speed, killing Becca Bingham, 39, and her two children, 4-year-old Macie and 2-year-old Garrison. Frank Bingham, 41, survived.

The collision knocked off the license plate, helping police track down the suspects.

Trujillo was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide involving driving under the influence, four counts of vehicular assault while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident.

A passenger, 35-year-old Eric Snell, was charged as an accessory in crime, according to court documents. Snell was also ordered to stay away from Frank Bingham, posted $25,000 bail and was released from jail Sunday. His lawyer, Jesse Wiens, said the charge against his client has not been specified.

Trujillo, who was not represented by a lawyer, made no comment in court Sunday except to say he understood the judge's order. The defendants were not asked to make a plea, and the next court date was not set.

The Binghams were out for a family evening Friday and were walking with Macie, wearing a ballerina princess outfit, and Garrison, dressed in a Superman cape, riding in a double stroller, The Denver Post reported. They were crossing lawfully at the intersection, which had a traffic signal, authorities said.

Police spokesman Sonny Jackson said they didn't know how fast the truck was going, but a witness had told the Rocky Mountain News it appeared to be going about 50 mph.