Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Fatal Fort Collins Police Chase

Kenneth Lujan pleaded guilty to vehicular eluding resulting in death after a pursuit ended in a crash that killed his passenger, Timothy Lobato.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A 55-year-old man named Kenneth Lujan has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for leading Larimer County Sheriff's Office deputies on a high-speed chase through Fort Collins that ended in a crash, resulting in the death of his passenger, Timothy Lobato. Lujan pleaded guilty to vehicular eluding resulting in death, a Class 3 felony.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers of high-speed police pursuits and the tragic consequences they can have for innocent bystanders. It also raises questions about addiction, rehabilitation, and whether prison sentences or treatment-based approaches are more effective at addressing the root causes of criminal behavior.

The details

In May, Lujan led deputies on a pursuit through Fort Collins that ended when they used a PIT maneuver to stop his vehicle, causing it to crash into a tree. Lujan's passenger, Timothy Lobato, was seriously injured in the crash and later died from his injuries. Lobato's sister said he and Lujan were both addicts and that their roles could have easily been reversed. Lujan told the court that Lobato had been his best friend for 30 years and that they had talked about getting sober and becoming addiction counselors to help others.

  • On May 23, deputies attempted to stop Lujan's vehicle just before 11 p.m. in the area of Roma Valley Drive and Napa Valley Drive in south Fort Collins.
  • Lujan led deputies on a pursuit southeast and then northbound on Southridge Greens Boulevard.
  • A deputy performed a PIT maneuver at around 5151 Boardwalk Drive, causing Lujan's vehicle to collide with a tree.
  • On February 9, 2026, Lujan was sentenced to 10 years in prison for vehicular eluding resulting in death.

The players

Kenneth Lujan

A 55-year-old man who pleaded guilty to vehicular eluding resulting in death and was sentenced to 10 years in prison for leading deputies on a high-speed chase that resulted in the death of his passenger.

Timothy Lobato

The passenger in Lujan's vehicle who was seriously injured in the crash and later died from his injuries.

Kim Magnusson

The sister of Timothy Lobato, who spoke at Lujan's sentencing hearing and asked for the maximum sentence to protect Lujan from himself and hold him accountable.

Brian Hardouin

The Chief Deputy District Attorney who argued that Lujan's criminal history showed he was unlikely to change and would not benefit from a treatment-based sentence.

Katherine Rahme

Lujan's defense attorney who argued that he had taken significant steps towards sobriety and that prison could stifle his recovery.

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What they’re saying

“Tim has lost everything, every opportunity to get clean, to change his life and make it better.”

— Kim Magnusson, Sister of Timothy Lobato

“I want to say sorry to the Lobato family. I'm deeply sorry. That was my best friend and I made a mistake.”

— Kenneth Lujan

“He has taken significant steps towards his sobriety. Prison can oftentimes stifle recovery.”

— Katherine Rahme, Lujan's Defense Attorney

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Kenneth Lujan to participate in a treatment-based sentencing alternative instead of the 10-year prison term.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing addiction and criminal behavior, one that balances accountability, public safety, and opportunities for rehabilitation. It underscores the complex challenges facing the criminal justice system and the importance of finding solutions that can prevent such devastating outcomes in the future.