Shane Bradley Mills Sentenced to 35 Years

Today, Shane Bradely Mills was sentenced to 35 years in the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to Vehicular Homicide- DUI, a class three felony, and two counts of Vehicular Assault-DUI, a class four felony. 

On August 15, 2024, the Colorado State Patrol responded to a crash on Highway 34. Upon arrival, they discovered one person outside the vehicle, two people trapped in a vehicle who ultimately had to be extracted, and one person who had fled the scene. 

Troopers began searching the area and found Shane Mills hiding behind a tree. He was uncooperative, unsteady on his feet, and had a strong odor of alcohol. 

Shane Mills had been traveling eastbound on Highway 34, crossed the center line, and hit another vehicle, containing the three victims, head-on. An 8-pack of beer was found in his vehicle, and a blood test would reveal that his blood alcohol was 0.264, six times greater than the .05 legal limit to drive in the state of Colorado. 

Shaylin Crosby, age 21, was pronounced dead on scene, and the remaining two victims were transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

The prosecution team secured Mr. Mills’ guilty plea in February to an open sentencing range on all counts. The prosecution team argued for the maximum sentence, 48 years, asking that all three counts run consecutively to separately account for the individual harm to each victim. 

During the sentencing, several of Shaylin’s friends and family spoke to the Court to highlight her kindness, creativity, and love for everyone in her life. They showed photos, videos, and included original songs written and performed by Shaylin to illustrate the life that was taken by Mr. Mills’ actions.

“Driving while under the influence kills members of our community, and we will work tirelessly to hold these offenders accountable,” said District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin. “Last year, Driving Under the Influence was the most charged offense in our jurisdiction. The loss of Shaylin Crosby and the physical and emotional trauma inflicted on the surviving victims were due to the knowing decision of Mr. Mills to get behind the wheel while significantly intoxicated, and it was completely avoidable. I am proud of our team for holding Mr. Mills accountable and hope that the family can find some closure in this outcome.”

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
https://madd.org/colorado/ 

No DUI Colorado

https://noduicolorado.org/resources/ 

Responsibility.org 

https://www.responsibility.org/end-impaired-driving/