Jeronimo sentenced to 180 days in jail, 5 years probation

Abel Domingo Jeronimo, 39, was sentenced in Cheyenne County District Court on Wednesday afternoon to 180 days in jail and five years of intensive supervised probation for leaving the scene of a fatal traffic crash near Dalton last spring.

Jeronimo’s driver’s license was also revoked for 15 years – the maximum possible term, Judge Derek Weimer said – as part of a long list of probation terms.

On the morning of April 7, Jeronimo was driving in foggy conditions along U.S. Highway 385, two miles south of Dalton. Another vehicle, driven by Martin Geiger Jr., 45, attempted to pass Jeronimo’s vehicle. The two vehicles ultimately collided, and Geiger’s truck left the road before rolling. Both the driver and passenger were ejected.

Geiger died of injuries from the crash and Berger sustained severe injuries.

According to witnesses, Jeronimo stopped briefly but then left without calling 911 or checking on the condition of Geiger or Berger.

A probable cause affidavit states Jeronimo told deputies he didn’t have any medical training and had forgotten English – his second language – because he was so frightened.

“He recalled other vehicles stopping, so he left and went to work,” the affidavit states. “He advised that since he was ‘local,’ he knew that law enforcement would find him.”

Jeronimo pleaded guilty on June 19 to a charge of failing to stop, disclose information and render assistance in an accident involving death.

In court on Wednesday, court-appointed attorney Donald Miller said the crash was a tragedy but that his client didn’t cause it.

Cheyenne County Attorney Paul Schaub argued it was inexcusable for Jeronimo to leave the scene.

In delivering his sentence, Weimer said a probation term would allow the court to monitor Jeronimo longer than a prison sentence. Jeronimo must wear a tracking device, check in with his probation officer twice a week, not leave Cheyenne County without prior approval and serve 200 hours of community service as additional terms of his probation.

Jeronimo, who had been free on bond, was remanded into custody after the sentencing to begin serving his 180-day jail term.

He was given credit for the 72 days that he was held in custody following his arrest. Fifteen days of the term were ordered to be served in three-day increments, beginning on April 7 – the anniversary of the crash, over the next five years.