Wrongway driver who killed Jefferson County motorcycle deputy gets 6-year sentence

An 83-year-old man who crossed a double yellow line to pass another driver and collided head-on with a Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy, killing him, was ordered Friday to serve six years in a halfway house.

Kenneth Martin Hosch, of Golden, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the Jan. 26 death of Sgt. Dave Baldwin, who was driving his patrol motorcycle on duty.

The sentence will allow Hosch, who has not driven since the collision, to speak to others about the dangers of reckless driving.

Before the judge’s decision was read, the court heard from Sheriff Ted Mink, who said nothing could prepare him for a deputy’s death. He encouraged the court to show that a reckless disregard for the law would not be tolerated.

Hosch hit Baldwin on Colorado 93 near West 68th Avenue. Hosch was southbound when he passed another vehicle in a passing zone, but he failed to return to the southbound lane.

He drove on the wrong side of the yellow line about 1,500 feet before hitting Baldwin’s motorcycle, investigators said. Witnesses estimated Hosch’s speed at about 75 mph.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors, along with family and colleagues of Baldwin, asked the court to sentence Hosch to prison.

Hosch has had multiple speeding tickets over the past 20 years, and a couple of rear-end crashes, both on Colorado 93, since 2010, they told the court.

They argued Hosch had extreme disregard for the general public’s safety in the way he drove.

Hosch has “not taken ownership” for the fatal crash, Bob Baldwin, Dave’s brother, told the court.

Bob Baldwin said Hosch has total disregard for the law and public safety, evidenced by the manner in which he drove.

But supporters of Hosch, including family members and friends, described him as a hard-working and industrious man who raised a family and taught his children, now adults, good values.

Hosch himself testified, telling District Court Judge Margie Enguist that he had no recollection of the crash.

Hosch said his children, who had grown concerned about his driving in recent years, had asked him to mothball his car keys and stop.

“Indeed an old man should hang up keys for the benefit of others,” Hosch said. “How much sadness did I burden people with? How terribly sorry I am for the damage I have done and for hurting so many people.”

Hosch
already has talked to seniors and made a video to illustrate the dangers of driving when age becomes a detriment: slowing down reaction times, and adversely affecting sight and hearing.

In handing down the sentence, Judge Enquist made note of Hosch’s bad, dangerous, driving record.

She too talked about his “disregard” for safety while he drove.

Enquist sentenced Hosch to six years in a community corrections setting, not prison.

Hosch will spend each night at the facility, but he may arrange for daytime release.

Enquis said the sentence will allow him to continue to speak to and counsel senior drivers.

Hosch was taken directly into custody after the hearing.

Crystal Baldwin, Dave Baldwin’s widow, after the sentencing, urged the public to address elderly driving concerns.

“If you have elderly parents, have a conversation with them,” she said. “You do not want to end up in the position our families are in.”

Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com