Man sentenced to 12 years for running over wife

An Aurora man was sentenced to 12 years in prison Thursday for running over his wife with a car in Laporte.

Joe V. Thompson, 22, initially faced numerous felony charges for driving a Volkswagen Jetta back and forth over his wife after the couple got into an argument in May. A doctor told Larimer County Sheriff's Office deputies the woman suffered a broken back, shattered pelvis, two dislocated femurs and a broken tail bone.

Thompson ended up pleading guilty to assault with a deadly weapon and vehicular assault while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Eighth Judicial District Judge Gregory Lammons sentenced him to 12 years on Thursday, and Thompson will get credit for the six months he spent in jail during court proceedings.

Authorities were dispatched about 7 a.m. May 14 to the 3400 block of West Larimer County Road 54G on reports of a crash with injuries. Deputies from the Larimer County Sheriff's Office arrived and found a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta in the front yard of a home near the intersection of North Overland Trail. A woman was trapped underneath the vehicle.

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Following his arrest, Thompson later told deputies that he, his wife and the couple's 2-year-old child went to a friend's house the previous night. Thompson said he drank several containers of Bud Light, his wife became ill and she asked to return to Aurora, deputies wrote in a sworn statement.

The couple got into an argument while driving in the area of McConnell Drive and County Road 54G, at which point the woman got out of the car and started to walk.

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Thompson was angry and "in an attempt to scare" the woman he "rapidly accelerated and steered the vehicle towards" his wife, deputies wrote. The Jetta hit her, and witnesses said he drove back and forth over her until bystanders intervened and turned the car off. Thompson tried to run away, but Poudre Fire Authority firefighters restrained him until deputies arrived.

The 2-year-old was in a car seat throughout the incident.

Thompson had a revoked license for driving under the influence and also had two active protection orders prohibiting him from drinking alcohol. He was on probation for second-degree assault.