UPDATE: The Greeley City Council is set to vote tonight on a $295,000 settlement for Teneah Perez, a resident who spent five days in jail due to a wrongful arrest stemming from a 2023 traffic incident. This urgent decision comes after allegations that officer Donovan Serafino falsely accused her of driving during a crash on May 29, 2023.
The vote, scheduled for tonight, could resolve all claims against both the city and Serafino, who has since been terminated from the Greeley Police Department. This settlement aims to compensate Perez for lost wages, confinement, legal expenses, and emotional distress, as highlighted in her complaint filed in Colorado District Court.
The incident began when Perez’s husband crashed their vehicle at the intersection of 12th Avenue and 8th Street. While her husband fled the scene with their three children, Perez and her two children remained. Despite her insistence and her 6-year-old son’s claims that her husband was driving, officer Serafino reported on his police radio that Perez was behind the wheel.
The fallout from this incident was severe. Perez faced multiple charges, including three counts of DUI, vehicular assault, and child abuse. However, an internal review revealed that Serafino failed to document critical evidence, including an email from a witness who stated Perez was not driving. This oversight was only uncovered 15 months later, leading to the dismissal of all charges against her.
The Greeley Police Department’s internal investigation confirmed that Serafino violated numerous policies regarding evidence handling and truthfulness. In a statement, public information officer Kristen Duus confirmed Serafino’s termination and that the city had engaged outside counsel to guide them through this settlement process.
If approved tonight, the settlement will be paid from the city’s claims reserve fund, effectively closing a chapter on a case that has drawn significant public attention and raised concerns about police accountability.
Residents and advocates are closely watching the council’s decision, with many expressing hope that this settlement will serve as a step toward justice for Perez and highlight the need for reform within local law enforcement practices.
Stay tuned for updates as the Greeley City Council convenes to make this pivotal decision.
