Fatal DUI Driver, 25, Sentenced To Prison For Death Of Girl, 16

CENTENNIAL, CO – A Conifer man was sentenced to prison for a fatal DUI accident in Arapahoe County that killed a a 16-year-old cheerleader from Grandview High School.

Christopher K. Tetley, 25, pleaded guilty in June to vehicular homicide-DUI and two counts of vehicular assault-DUI in the accident that killed Phoebe Lester and seriously injured two others in the car with her.

On Aug. 9, Arapahoe District Court Judge Kurt Horton sentenced Tetley to 11 years in prison, followed by five years of probation, according to a statement from the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office.

On July 25, 2017, close to midnight, Tetley was driving his 2016 Hyundai Sonata east on East Orchard Road near South Genoa Street in Arapahoe County, the DA's office said. The Colorado State Patrol determined the Hyundai was traveling between 65-75 mph in a 40 mph zone.

Phoebe was a back seat passenger in a 2011 Audi A4 driven northbound on South Genoa by one of her friends. A third friend was the front seat passenger. According to police reports, friends were taking Phoebe home to meet her curfew after watching movies at the home of another friend.

The Audi was making a left turn onto westbound East Orchard when the Hyundai hit it broadside. Every person involved was seriously injured and taken to a hospital. Phoebe was pronounced dead at Parker Adventist Hospital. The other two occupants of the Audi suffered multiple broken bones and a traumatic brain injury, the DA's office said.

"A trooper who interviewed Tetley at the hospital noted that he had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Tetley said he had three beers before driving," the DA's office said. Tetley's blood-acohol content level was measured at 0.216, almost three times the legal driving limit of .08.

“Although we are glad we were able to obtain a measure of justice for Phoebe and the other two victims, the fact remains that these families’ lives have been changed irrevocably by the defendant’s selfish and dangerous actions,” said Chief Deputy DA Brian Sugioka in a statement. “Killing or hurting people while driving drunk is an entirely preventable tragedy. Please don’t drive drunk. Just don’t.”

Pam Lester, Phoebe's mother, announced that she had started a foundation in her daughter's memory.

“One year ago today I stood in front of a church with over one thousand people there for her funeral and it most definitely was the most horrific feeling in the world for a parent to have to experience,” she told CBS4.

Image via 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office

Stay up-to-date on Littleton news with Patch! There are many ways for you to connect and stay in touch: FREE newsletters and Email Alerts|Facebook