Man charged in wreck that killed one CSU-Pueblo student, injured another

A New Jersey man has been charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal one-car rollover wreck in Pueblo on Sept. 11, 2021.

Brandon Andersen-Parrado, 23, was charged with knowingly, intentionally, and recklessly driving an unsafe motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, causing the death of one of his passengers, Jillian Abrian, and serious bodily injury to another after both were ejected from Andersen-Parrado's vehicle.

Andersen-Parrado also has been charged by the 10th Judicial District Attorney's Office with vehicular assault, DUI, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, reckless driving, speeding, and driving an unsafe motor vehicle.

On Sept. 11, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Pueblo Chieftain, Andersen-Parrado, Abrian and a third party — all of whom were Colorado State University-Pueblo students at the time — agreed to split a pizza.

Andersen-Parrado drove his vehicle to pick up the pizza to avoid delivery costs, the affidavit said.

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After the three left the CSU Pueblo campus, the passenger who was seriously injured in the crash, texted her friends to say she was worried about Anderson-Parrado's driving. She later stated that, when she told him his driving was scaring her, he laughed and said they were having fun.

At the time, Andersen-Parrado had multiple arrest warrants out of El Paso County for driving 25-39 mph over the speed limit and two from New Mexico State Police for the same offense, according to the affidavit.

"Several of the CSU-Pueblo students that are friends with the victims also reported having bad experiences riding in (Andersen-Parrado's) vehicle, due to his intentional and reckless driving to include speeding," Pueblo County Sheriff's Office Deputy Trae Borror wrote in the affidavit.

One person allegedly told Borror that, about five weeks prior to the wreck, he had received a ride from Andersen-Parrado and was scared of his driving to the point that he got out and walked home after another passenger was dropped off, according to the affidavit.

At around 11:30 p.m. on the night of the deadly wreck, multiple deputies and medical personnel were sent to the area of Baxter and Daniel Roads after receiving a report of a traffic crash with injuries and a fatality.

Abrian was found with no signs of life at the scene. A coroner's report later determined her cause of death was multiple blunt force impact trauma.

Deputies allegedly found numerous alcoholic seltzer beverages at the scene and in the vehicle, according to the affidavit.

Andersen-Parrado and the other victim, who was 19, were transported to a local hospital. The 19-year-old's injuries included a broken jaw, broken bones around the eyes, and multiple skull fractures requiring facial reconstruction surgery.

Deputy Mike Martinez said Andersen-Parrado had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath when deputies spoke to him in the emergency room. His eyes were also allegedly bloodshot and watery, according to the affidavit.

No field sobriety test was taken at the time, due to Anderson-Parrado's injuries.

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Andersen-Parrado told deputies that he was traveling back to CSU-Pueblo from a pizza restaurant off Santa Fe Drive when he left the roadway and rolled his Mustang, going about 65 mph.

Deputies later determined that he had gone off the right side of Baxter Road approaching Daniel Road. He traveled approximately 165 feet before striking a raised culvert and going airborne for 92 feet before hitting the ground and rolling, at which point both passengers were ejected.

Three samples of blood were drawn from Andersen-Parrado at the hospital.

Another student at CSU-Pueblo, who was not involved in the deadly accident, said that Anderson-Parrado had been drinking at a party earlier in the night, and was already intoxicated when he arrived.

The student said Anderson-Parrado had previously "bragged" about having a record number of tickets for speeding.

Law enforcement officials said he was arrested earlier this month in New Jersey and brought to Colorado to face trial, according to the affidavit. He is set to make his first court appearance in Pueblo on Feb. 7.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until and unless a suspect is convicted of a crime.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at Jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @jayreutter1.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Man charged in connection to fatal wreck with CSU Pueblo students