DENVER, CO – A tragic accident on Interstate 25 last week has left a family mourning the loss of 19-year-old McKenna Angelillo Smith. The young Coloradan was a passenger on a motorcycle that crashed at high speed, resulting in her death. The driver, 21-year-old Jacob Blackman, now faces charges of vehicular homicide.
Smith had recently returned to Colorado from Florida to pursue a degree in criminal justice, her mother, Kristen Angelillo Keeser, shared. Despite her profound grief, Keeser expressed compassion for Blackman, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation.
The crash occurred near the I-70 interchange when Blackman reportedly lost control of the motorcycle. According to a probable cause statement, he admitted to traveling between 120 and 140 mph in a 55 mph zone and consuming alcohol earlier that evening. Both Blackman and Smith were thrown from the vehicle upon impact.
Smith’s family confirmed she was wearing a helmet and gloves at the time of the accident. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital. The loss has left a void in the lives of those who knew her, particularly her mother, who fondly remembers her daughter’s wit and ability to evoke every emotion.
While vehicular homicide charges have been filed against Blackman, Keeser believes that anger is not the solution. She empathizes with Blackman, recognizing that he, too, is young and now burdened with the consequences of the accident.
Keeser has chosen forgiveness as a path to healing, urging others not to let her daughter’s death be in vain. She hopes Blackman can find a way to honor McKenna by doing something meaningful with his life.
In a message of resilience, Keeser encourages everyone to remain in the light, a sentiment she believes her daughter would have wanted. She emphasizes that the driver must now live with the memory of the crash and hopes he will use this experience to make a positive impact.