Former University of Denver basketball player Coban Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his involvement in a fatal DUI car crash in 2023.
The crash resulted in the death of 42-year-old Katharina Rothman and serious injuries to her passenger, Jason Blanch.
Porter pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide (DUI) and vehicular assault (DUI) as part of a plea agreement, with charges of vehicular homicide (reckless driving) and vehicular assault (reckless driving) being dismissed.
Michael Porter Jr.’s brother Coban Porter was sentenced to 8 years in prison for killing another driver while driving under the influence, per @CPRMarkus pic.twitter.com/xwz03aaS2W
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) April 19, 2024
Without the plea agreement, Porter could have faced up to 24 years in prison, but the agreement limited his sentence to a maximum of eight years. After his release from prison, Porter will serve three years of parole.
According to statements from the Denver police, Porter was driving approximately 50 miles per hour and ran a red light at the time of the crash. He exhibited signs of intoxication, including slurring his words and smelling of alcohol, and his blood-alcohol level was reportedly twice the legal limit.
Two lawsuits have been filed by the victims and their families, alleging that Porter was over-served at a bar prior to the crash.
In an unrelated incident, Jontay Porter, another brother of Coban and Michael and a former player for the Toronto Raptors, was recently banned for life from the NBA for violating league betting policies by disclosing confidential information to sports bettors and betting on games.
Former University of Denver basketball player Coban Porter, younger brother of Denver Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr., was sentenced to six years in prison for a drunken driving crash that killed a 42-year-old woman.
Porter pleaded guilty to DUI vehicular homicide and vehicular assault for causing the crash that took place on January 22, 2023. He was driving drunk when he ran a red light near the university and crashed into the victim’s car, killing her and seriously injuring her passenger.
In a Denver courtroom, Porter expressed remorse and said he never thought he would be standing there, acknowledging that it was not the first time he chose to drink and drive.
The victim’s mother, Connie Johnson, emotionally shared the profound impact the loss of her daughter had on her family, as they had to face the anguish of her absence every day.
Prior to the incident, Coban Porter was a guard on the University of Denver basketball team. He came from a prominent basketball family, with his older sisters also playing college basketball at Missouri.
His brother Michael Jr. found success in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets.
Porter’s sentencing aims to bring peace to the victim’s family, and the judge encouraged him to use this opportunity to educate others about the dangers of drunk driving.
Fans reacted as follows:
Lebron trying to find some dirt on Michael Porter Jr. before the Nuggets series pic.twitter.com/GA6mAKglCO
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) April 19, 2024
What’s going on with the porter Family?
— 𝟐𝟑 👑 (@BronWorld) April 19, 2024
There’s no way MPJ is clean with this family better suspend him in advance just for one series @NBA
— GOAT James👑🐐 (@BronToAD) April 19, 2024
2 brothers in 2 days is crazy 😭
— BronnyMuse (@BronnyMuse06) April 19, 2024
Porter family gonna be a netflix documentary
— Jonny (@jonnybuzek) April 19, 2024
that podcast with lana rhodes is a cry for help
— 𝙀𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙚🔮™ (@_GunnerEddie) April 19, 2024
The con artist genes run in the family I guess
— Curryglazer (@myglorious30) April 19, 2024
should be life
— KingCharge (@KingCharge) April 19, 2024
The apple doesn’t fall further from the tree
— Bryan (@bryan_trades) April 19, 2024
Isn't 6 years for DUI murder a light sentencing? It should be 15+
— Unnamed Las Vegas NBA team (@LasVegasNBAteam) April 19, 2024
A tragic reminder of the lasting impact our actions can have, especially those made in youth.
— lowtide (@lowtideeth) April 19, 2024
Tough week for the Porter family. Thoughts and prayers to the family of the victim.
— John Loop (@JohnJLoop) April 19, 2024
Good thing they had 3 sons. One ended up being a champ and the other 2 are now frauds
— The Lock$mith (@RipsAndSlips) April 20, 2024
Tf the porters got goin on over there pic.twitter.com/dWCLgcRj9r
— Ham Sandwich 🥪 (@AcousticDarvin) April 19, 2024
Are you surprised …. First he gets caught gambling and then he kills somebody 🤦🏽♂️ meanwhile all jokic cares about is his horses … some leader huh 🤔 is this really y’all mvp ?
— HonestDakBeliver (@native_ace) April 19, 2024
