Loveland Police Misconduct

On June 3, 2015, in Loveland, Colorado, a series of events unfolded that would forever impact the lives of Daniela King and her daughter, Karla. It all began when Daniela and Karla were involved in a traffic accident in the Centerra shopping area. As they turned onto Sky Pond Drive, another driver, Sharon Scheller, forced Daniela's vehicle off the road. Despite Daniela honking her horn to prevent the collision, Sharon continued changing lanes, causing Daniela's car to jump the curb and narrowly avoid a collision.

Rather than stopping to exchange information as required by law, Scheller fled the scene, leaving Daniela and Karla in shock. Determined to hold the driver responsible, Daniela followed Scheller's white Jeep while repeatedly honking her horn to get Scheller's attention. They eventually caught up with Scheller in a parking lot, where Daniela confronted her about the dangerous incident. Scheller, seemingly indifferent to the potential harm she had caused, hurriedly went to a restaurant for a lunch meeting, despite Daniela informing her that the police were on their way.

However, Daniela's hopes for justice quickly turned into disappointment as the Loveland Police Department failed to investigate. Officer Justin Lorenzen, assigned to the case, neglected to collect crucial evidence and did not conduct a thorough investigation. Despite having access to video recordings, Officer Lorenzen told Daniela that she would have to go to court to obtain them, which turned out to be a deceptive move.

Officer Lorenzen's report omitted important details provided by Daniela and even altered some facts. Shockingly, he did not interview Karla, who had witnessed the accident. Moreover, Officer Lorenzen neglected to collect photographic evidence of the tire tracks on Daniela's vehicle and failed to complete a timely report, which was written 27 days after the accident.

The Loveland police department's mishandling of the case became even more apparent when Daniela discovered that the video evidence, crucial to supporting her claims, had been routinely destroyed. Officer Lorenzen failed to interview Scheller at the restaurant or inquire about potential intoxication or other impairments. He also neglected to verify Scheller's false statements, including falsely claiming to be a medical doctor on her way to an appointment.

Moreover, Officer Lorenzen displayed bias towards Scheller, favoring her over Daniela. 

In a recorded statement to her insurance company, Scheller mentioned that Officer Lorenzen warned her about a potential scam he falsely associated with Daniela. The remark appears intended as a slur the officer personally directed against Ms. King to the other motorist to discredit her.

The mistreatment and disrespect experienced by Daniela throughout this ordeal left a lasting impact on her and her family. They suffered severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression due to the accident. Even after obtaining her driver's license, Karla still struggles with driving due to the traumatic experience. Daniela continues to battle panic attacks, which have led to physical injuries, brain damage, and memory loss.

This incident has disrupted their lives in unimaginable ways, both physically and emotionally. The financial burden adds to their struggles with ongoing medical expenses, legal fees, and insurance costs. Given these challenges, Daniela and her family seek justice and compensation for their losses.

To address their complaint, Daniela and Karla request a reinvestigation of the matter and the initiation of disciplinary action against Officer Lorenzen. They believe the Loveland Police Department's failure to uphold the law and properly investigate the accident requires serious attention. They hope that by seeking justice, they can begin the healing process and find the support they need to recover physically, emotionally, and financially.