CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — A Douglas County judge on Wednesday cut in half the bail for a retired Army colonel accused of fatally hitting a Colorado State Patrol trooper.
Eric Henderson, 52, had his bail cut from $1 million to $500,000 over the objections of District Attorney George Brauchler. Henderson posted bond Wednesday and is no longer listed as an inmate at the Douglas County Jail.
Henderson is facing multiple charges in the death of trooper Jaimie Jursevics, 33, who was run down Sunday night on Interstate 25 south of Castle Rock.
Law enforcement from all over the state paid respects Tuesday. They lined the route as Jursevics’ family was escorted from their home to Denver.
Troopers and officers stood along the 300-mile route to salute and remember Jursevics, who was hit as she was assisting with a minor accident.
Investigators said Henderson was drunk when he hit her and then kept going. He’s facing charges of vehicular homicide, failure to remain at the scene of a deadly accident, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and careless driving causing death.
The fallen trooper is also a mother to an 8-month-old girl. A GoFundMe account has been set up to help her family.
Jursevics’ husband released a statement Wednesday afternoon:
“I would like to thank everyone for the support we have received; through cards, social media, and at our sides. Thank you to the Colorado State Patrol. The caring nature of the men and women who serve is unbelievable. The State Patrol was her second family.
This is a very difficult time for our family and our friends as we are dealing with a reality that we never imagined. Knowing how Jaimie impacted so many lives and her accomplishments as a state trooper makes me extremely proud to be her husband. She was a loving wife and an amazing mother to our baby daughter.
What was supposed to be one of the happiest years of our life is now a terrible and unimaginable nightmare.”
Jursevics’ funeral is scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Church of the Nazarene (3800 E. Hampden Ave. in Cherry Hills Village). The public is invited.