Covering up a crime usually doesn’t work in a person’s favor, as the truth has a way of coming out. Lance Armstrong is finding that out the hard way after letting his girlfriend take the blame for a collision with two parked cars last December.
Anna Hansen originally admitted to being behind the wheel when Armstrong’s GMC Yukon plowed into the vehicles on the way home from an evening party, but further investigation into the evidence available has led police to believe that Hansen is covering for her famous boyfriend who has had trouble with lying to the public in the past.
According to her initial statement, on December 28, 2014, Hansen was driving Armstrong’s car back from the Aspen Art Museum because “Lance had a little bit to drink” at the party the two attended. She said she lost control of the car on the icy roads and crashed into the two parked vehicles on the street. However, the investigation that followed revealed much different information.
The two vehicles that were damaged in the crash had been rented by the in-laws of a nearby resident. According to the resident, Hansen ran out of the car and across the snow to apologize after the accident. The Denver Post wrote that the resident quoted Hansen as saying: “I’m Anna, we’re the Armstrongs, my husband’s Lance, he was just driving maybe too fast around the corner or something.”
The man also told police that Hansen had given him her name and phone number and assured him that they would “pay for everything.” Once she and Armstrong had left the accident site, the man called 911 and reported a hit and run.
Upon investigation, police uncovered surveillance video footage from the St. Regis Aspen Resort, the hotel that hosted the evening’s event. The video showed Armstrong getting into the driver’s seat of his car and the valet who was working that night confirmed that Armstrong drove away from the hotel.
When police confronted Hansen about the footage, she originally stated that she and Armstrong had swapped positions after leaving the hotel and that she had taken over the driving by the time the accident took place.
Three days later, Hansen changed her story. She told police that she had been the passenger on the night of the accident and that Armstrong had been driving. She claimed that she lied originally because she wanted to “protect her family” and keep Armstrong’s name from showing up in the papers. She figured no one would report on an accident she had caused.
Possible Penalties for Armstrong
Now, Lance Armstrong is looking at charges not only for causing an accident but for leaving the scene without reporting the incident and for allowing Hansen to cover up his crime. If he is convicted, Colorado law states that he could be punished with fines and jail time.
Failing to report an accident is considered a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines from $150 to $300. Additionally, for driving recklessly for the conditions of the road, Armstrong could be fined another $15 to $100.
At Levine Law, Denver personal injury lawyer Jordan Levine represents victims of hit-and-run accidents and other personal injury incidents. To discuss your case, contact him as soon as possible.
