Kin of accident victim request no jail time for drunken driver

In a rare show of forgiveness, relatives of a woman killed by a drunken driver said Friday they will not ask a judge to send him to prison.

Christine McCord, 54, was killed June 6 on Colorado 24, just west of Constitution Avenue, in a crash when Troy Hauck's van plowed into the car in which she was riding.

Hauck pleaded guilty Friday to vehicular homicide, leaving his punishment to 4th Judicial District Judge Barney Iuppa.

"This is about forgiveness for the family," said Deputy District Attorney Holly Dodge.

"That's why they don't want prison."

Widower Mac McCord said prison time "won't prove anything" and it certainly won't bring back his wife of 19 years.

"He's shown some remorse and we won't gain anything," McCord said. "It's most important to me that he learn something from this and he gets the alcohol treatment he needs so he doesn't ever get in this situation again."

Hauck, 33, declined to comment after the hearing.

The Peyton resident had been charged with felony vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, careless driving and driving without insurance.

Hauck's blood alcohol content was .124, over the legal driving limit of .08, according to Colorado Springs police.

The careless driving and driving without insurance charges were dropped as part of the agreement.

Christine McCord was a passenger in a car driven by their 17-year-old son, Daniel. Mac McCord was ahead of them when a mattress in the back of his truck fell onto the road.

Daniel pulled over to the roadside to help his dad retrieve the mattress while his mom waited in the car. Hauck drove into the McCords' car while it was stopped behind the truck.

"The flashes and blinkers were on," McCord said at the time.

Christine McCord was an insurance biller for Colorado Springs Orthopedic Group and was a member of the Highland Park Baptist Church in Colorado Springs.

Mac McCord suffered a massive heart attack and underwent bypass surgery in November because of the stress related to his wife's death.

"She was my rock," he said. "We can send (Hauck) to jail and do whatever we want, but it won't bring her back. This was the Christian decision. We're going to forgive and move on."

Hauck remains free on $10,000 bail until his April 10 sentencing.