The widow of a driver killed in a four-car crash is remembering her husband as a talented musician, radio host and loving father.
Anthony Mills, 42, and Jonathan Nichols, 29 were on their way to meet with a producer this past Sunday when they were killed at the intersection of Colorado and Mexico.
Police said the driver was traveling at more than twice the posted speed limit when plowed into their Pontiac Vibe sitting at a red light. Investigators believe the driver may have been impaired and showed no signs of trying to brake.
"Well, it makes me sad and I want to pray for that man that he can come to grips with what he did, I hope there is some accountability but I’m not going to put hate out there because that’s not what Anthony wanted," said Ciandra Jackson, Mills' widow.
Mills was also known as "Zin," a name he used on the radio and as a recording artist. He founded the station 'All Real Radio' and spent time as a radio host in Houston.
"His music was avenue for him to give positivity to people," said Jackson.
The couple has a six-year-old daughter together and they were about to celebrate another wedding anniversary later this month. They moved to Denver about six months ago to be closer to family. Mills also has another daughter who lives out of state.
"He wanted people to feel like they matter so that's what I love about him aside from the music and all that, he just cared about people with no judgment," said Jackson.
Both men were involved in the local music scene and had a passion for bettering the community. Friends say Nichols, who went by the name, Kokayi Danladi, spread his love for music through teaching. He was a founding member of a Denver-based arts organization called Creative Strategies for Change.
"You see a lot of that style of love in their art and what they created, so the loss is heavy for everybody right now, everybody in the community," said Michael Acuna, a longtime friend.
A tribute is planned for the victims Sunday, Jan. 10, at at Brother Jeff's Cultural Center located at 2836 Welton Street. The event will run from 2 p.m. until 4 pm. Family and friends will celebrate their lives with drummers and other musical acts.
Six others were injured in the crash, including the driver who caused it. He remains in the hospital where he was placed under arrest by police.
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