The man accused of killing a DU graduate student in a hit-and-run crash last May was found guilty at trial on Feb. 6, according to a news release from the Denver District Attorney’s Office.
Andrew Simpson, 46, was convicted on charges of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
On May 31, Simpson ran a red light at the intersection of Evans Avenue and University Boulevard. Engineering graduate student and Iran native Masoud Bahramsharif was struck while walking his bicycle beside him.
Bahramsharif was taken to Denver Health Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
According to the Denver Police Department’s statement of probable cause, witnesses said the vehicle Simpson drove was a red Jeep Grand Cherokee and estimated the vehicle had been going between 50 and 65 miles per hour.
Minutes before the accident, two 911 calls had been placed regarding a reckless driver on southbound Logan Street and East Virginia Avenue. One caller claimed the driver was following him and asking where to buy marijuana; the other caller said the driver was “flipping people off” and was bare-chested with multiple tattoos.
On June 4, an officer found a maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee at 1641 Hanover St. after an anonymous tip. The vehicle had Colorado license plates and damage consistent with the type of accident. An officer was inspecting the vehicle when the male suspect walked out and said “I’m the one you’re looking for.”
Simpson was subsequently arrested. The anonymous tipper said that Simpson had been his friend for four or five years and that Simpson had told him he had “really f—ed up.” He said Simpson thought he hit something on Iliff but thought it was a dog, so he kept driving. Simpson drove back once but didn’t see anything. The tipper went outside, saw the damage to the vehicle and said they would call the police. He also disclosed that the Jeep belonged to Simpson’s girlfriend Kathy, and that she had not seen any damage before.
Simpson could face up to 18 years in prison. His sentencing hearing will be held on March 28 at 1:30 p.m. in Denver District Courtroom 5B.
