Grace Baca was killed in 2022 when her mother’s car was rear ended in Commerce City.
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — A man charged in the death of a 10-year-old girl who died after he slammed into the back of her mother’s car in October 2022 pleaded guilty this week and was immediately sentenced.
Grace Baca was in the car with her mother, Megan Baca, when Jay Gergen slammed into their car on Oct. 8, 2022, in Commerce City.
The accident happened only a few minutes from the Bacas’ home. The accident sent Grace into a coma. She died on Nov. 11, 2022.
> The video above is prior coverage about the case.
Gergen appeared in Adams County District Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to a single count of careless driving resulting in death. A second charge of careless driving resulting in injury was dismissed as a result of the plea.
He was immediately sentenced to 45 days in jail and two years of probation. He will also have to serve 200 hours of community service.
“There’s moments where I am in disbelief still, I feel like it was just yesterday I could hear her voice,” Megan Baca told 9NEWS previously. “She was just so special and just so sweet, and just a really good person.”
Megan Baca recently partnered with Allie Herman, the CEO and owner of Dragonwing, a local athletic clothing company that designs activewear for girls. Together, they created the “Gracie Leo,” a dance leotard that’s a tribute to Grace.
All profits from the sale of the garment will be given to the Grace Baca Foundation. The foundation, started by Megan Baca, donates to traumatic brain injury research and awards scholarships to aspiring dancers.
“I can see a little bit of light in such a sad, sad time,” Megan said. “And hope that they carry on her legacy and love for dance through kindness and poise.”
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