DENVER – A 29-year-old man was sentenced Friday to 86 years in prison after he was found guilty in August by a Denver jury of killing a 66-year-old man and several other crimes committed during a 2017 crime spree.
Eric Ukuni was convicted on Aug. 23 of killing 66-year-old Ernest Gurrini, who was getting into his work van when Ukuni deliberately slammed a stolen pickup truck he was driving into another car, then through an intersection, after which he hit Gurrini.
On Friday, he was sentenced to 48 years for the second-degree murder of Gurrini; 24 years for vehicular homicide; 30 years for two aggravated robberies and eight years for first-degree attempted assault. He also received six years in prison for vehicular eluding and two years for attempted motor vehicle theft.
The Denver District Attorney’s Office said some of the sentences will run concurrently but the total prison time will be 86 years.
After the crashes and pursuits, and after Ukuni tried to steal two other vehicles, but was restrained by several people until police arrived.
“Mr. Ukuni put so many people in danger that fateful day and caused the senseless death of Mr. Ernest Gurrini who was beloved by many people,” Denver District Attorney Beth McCann said in a statement. “I again thank the jurors, Judge Gilman and my incredible team of prosecutors, investigators and victim advocates for getting us to this outcome.”
