DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — A Douglas County judge sentenced 57-year-old Paul Stephenson to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 92 additional years, for a deadly drunk driving crash that killed U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel Matthew Anderson.
Stephenson was convicted in April on nearly a dozen charges related to the August 4, 2024 crash. Anderson, 39, had just finished attending the Douglas County Fair with his family and was parked at a 7-Eleven gas station in Castle Rock when Stephenson slammed into their vehicle. Anderson’s wife had gone inside to get popsicles for the kids.
Anderson and three of his children were taken to the hospital. He later died from his injuries.
During sentencing, Judge Victoria Klingensmith expressed disbelief at Stephenson’s lack of remorse. “Not one ounce of empathy for the Anderson family and what you have put them through,” she said.
Stephenson, who claimed he didn’t get a fair trial, told the judge, “I don’t know these people. It was a terrible accident.”
Prosecutors revealed Stephenson’s blood alcohol content was nearly three times the legal limit—equivalent to about eight-and-a-half shots of whiskey. He admitted to drinking two beers and a pint of Fireball whiskey before the crash and told police he was headed to buy more.
“This was arguably an intentional act,” Klingensmith said, noting his long criminal record and repeated failures in court-ordered rehabilitation.
His sentence includes life without parole plus 92 years for charges including four counts of attempted murder, child abuse, assault, DUI, and criminal mischief.
Before sentencing, Anderson’s family, colleagues, and law enforcement spoke of their loss. Lt. Colonel Francisco Guzman remembered Anderson as a man who lived by duty—to family, community, and country. “Stephenson must be held accountable. Responsibility matters,” he said.
Officer Tyler Yowell of the Castle Rock Police Department recalled the heartbreaking scene at the crash site, sharing how one of Anderson’s children cried, “My daddy died, he can’t play with me anymore.”
Anderson’s widow, Allison, said the memory of her husband’s face that day still haunts her. “I’m praying he never harms anyone ever again,” she told the court.
Prosecutors said Stephenson had multiple prior arrests for DUI, domestic violence, theft, and harassment. “He’s no stranger to the criminal justice system. He’s just a stranger to consequences,” said Senior Deputy DA Nate Marsh.
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