A Colorado woman, Kalynn Settle, has been sentenced to the maximum time behind bars for causing a fatal DUI car crash that claimed the life of 41-year-old Aaron Barone, a motorcyclist.
Charges and Conviction
Settle, 30, previously pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and possession of a controlled substance (cocaine). On May 1, 2025, she was sentenced by 21st Judicial District Judge JenniLynne Lawrence to six years in prison for the vehicular homicide charge and one year for the drug possession charge, with the sentences set to run concurrently.
The Incident
The tragic incident occurred on June 14, 2025, at the intersection of North Seventh Street and Bunting Avenue in Grand Junction, Colorado. Police arrived at the scene to find Aaron Barone dead after being struck by Settle’s car.
Settle, a registered nurse, initially told officers that she stopped to help after the crash, claiming that a “Mexican lady” had struck the motorcycle and fled the scene. However, officers quickly noticed blood and human flesh on the front of Settle’s car and an apparent odor of alcohol on her breath. Settle refused to perform sobriety tests, prompting police to obtain a warrant for a blood test and search of her car.
Evidence and Arrest
Inside her vehicle, authorities discovered alcohol, prescription medication, a burnt glass pipe, a baggie with a white powdery substance, and a small container with a white crystal-like substance. The white powder tested positive for ketamine, and the crystal tested positive for cocaine. Settle’s blood test confirmed that she had cocaine and alcohol in her system at the time of the crash.
When Settle was told she was being arrested for DUI, she responded, “Good luck with that”.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
During her sentencing hearing, Settle expressed remorse, saying “On that day, I made a choice I can never undo” through tears.
Aaron Barone’s father addressed the court, mourning the loss of his son: “He worked hard his entire life, only to have it cut short by an act of irresponsibility.”
Prosecutor Joshua Dougherty asked the court for a five- to six-year prison sentence, highlighting Settle’s lack of remorse and missed drug tests during the pretrial process.
Judge Lawrence noted that she had originally considered issuing a sentence of community supervision (which would have allowed Settle to avoid prison), but her concerns about Settle’s missed drug tests led to the decision to impose a prison sentence.
The judge remarked, “These are not the behaviors of a sober person”, while expressing hope that Settle could reduce her sentence through good behavior, stating, “You still have choices you can make that can improve the outcome for you.”
