A Colorado woman who attempted to blame a “Mexican lady” for a collision that killed a motorcyclist was given the longest prison term permitted by law.
According to The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, Kalynn Settle, 30, was sentenced on Thursday to six years in prison for a vehicular homicide charge related to a June 14, 2025 crash involving motorcyclist Aaron Barone, 41, and one year for possession of a controlled substance, to be served concurrently.
According to the prosecution, Settle was travelling south on North Seventh Street in Grand Junction when she veered into the northbound lanes and struck Barone’s motorbike at the intersection of Bunting Avenue.
Officers later noted in an affidavit that witnesses at the site informed them she had entered oncoming traffic “for an unknown reason, before striking Barone, who succumbed to his injuries a few weeks later,” according to KREX.
In the crash’s body camera footage, Settle was also heard telling the police that she had stopped to assist Barone because she was a registered nurse and struck the car in front of her. She said the automobile was being driven by a ‘Mexican lady that left’, who she claimed struck the motorbike.
However, a policeman then noticed that Settle’s car seemed to have “blood or human flesh” on the front.
Police also observed that she had watery, bloodshot eyes and that her speech appeared to be slurred.
Alcohol, prescription drugs, and a glass pipe with a bundle of Brillo on one end of the pope that had brown and white burnt residue were discovered during a subsequent check of her vehicle.
Kalynn Settle, 30, was given a six-year prison sentence on Thursday.
On June 14, 2025, she struck 41-year-old motorcyclist Aaron Barone at the intersection of North Seventh Street and Bunting Avenue in Grand Junction, Colorado (pictured), while under the influence of drink and drugs.
The white crystal-like material tested positive for cocaine, whereas the white powder tested positive for ketamine.
Police got a signed search warrant to test Settle’s blood after she declined to undergo sobriety tests on the spot. The results showed that she had cocaine and alcohol in her system but not ketamine.
According to the complaint, Settle said, “Good luck with that,” when an officer informed her that she was under arrest for DUI.
In the end, Settle entered a guilty plea to the charges of possessing cocaine, a controlled narcotic, and driving while intoxicated.
She sobbed as she told the court on Thursday that she thinks about Barone every day and apologises to the victim’s relatives.
Additionally, Settle stated that she was unable to defend her careless choice, saying, “On that day, I made a choice I can never undo.” Her defence lawyer, Vince Felletter, countered that Settle had accepted responsibility by entering a guilty plea and had no prior criminal history.
According to him, Settle has battled alcoholism and cocaine addiction, and she will always bear the weight of what transpired in her heart.
Additionally, the lawyer pointed out that his client was intoxicated at the time and honestly thought another car was involved.
Kalynn’s mother, Heather Settle, also spoke at the sentencing, according to the Daily Sentinel. “As her mother, I deeply love her, but my love does not excuse her actions,” she said, going on to explain how her daughter has battled addiction for years but has made progress. “It’s unfortunate that this incident is what caused that to be addressed.”
As he asked Judge JenniLynne Lawrence to sentence Settle to five to six years in prison, prosecutor Joshua Dougherty contended that Settle was portraying herself as the hero and was more focused on her career than the victim. “There’s no indication that she was showing some sort of remorse based on her actions,” Dougherty said, pointing out that Settle missed several drug tests during the pre-trial process, including in the month prior to her sentencing, which he claimed showed that she was not taking the case as seriously as she should have been.
“He worked hard his entire life, only to have it cut short by an act of irresponsibility,” Michael testified, adding that he would never forget hearing his son’s final two heartbeats. Michael, Barone’s father, was supporting the prosecutor, saying the case has devastated his family as he continues to grieve the loss of his son.
Lawrence stated that she had been ready to impose a community supervision sentence, which would have prevented Settle from going to jail, after hearing the arguments on both sides.
However, she changed her mind after seeing on the pre-sentence report that Settle had missed several drug tests. She claimed that this was the kind of manipulative behaviour she frequently witnesses in addicts who have real worries about community safety and do not want to face the repercussions of a failing test.
“These are not the behaviours of a sober person,” the judge declared after taking into account Settle’s actions at the scene.
Ultimately, Lawrence stated that she was unable to give a punishment that would revive Barone.
However, she stated that she could impose a punishment that would make Settle answerable for her deeds.
The judge told Settle, “You still have choices you can make that can improve the outcome for you,” adding that she might receive a shorter sentence if she behaves well while incarcerated.
“Mr. Barone died,” Lawrence said. “That cannot be returned.”
