UPDATE: The Greeley City Council is set to vote tonight on a significant $295,000 settlement for resident Teneah Perez, who endured a wrongful arrest following a 2023 traffic incident. This urgent vote comes as Perez seeks justice after being falsely accused of driving while intoxicated, resulting in a harrowing five days in jail.
On May 29, 2023, Perez was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a crash at 12th Avenue and 8th Street in Greeley. Her husband, the driver, fled the scene with their children, leaving Perez and her two children behind. Despite multiple assertions from Perez and her 6-year-old son that her husband was behind the wheel, officer Donovan Serafino incorrectly reported on his police radio that the child claimed Perez was driving.
Perez faced serious charges, including three counts of DUI and multiple counts of child abuse. However, body camera footage revealed that the child never made such a claim. The situation worsened when an email, received by Serafino the day after the crash, indicated that Perez was not driving. Alarmingly, Serafino did not document this critical evidence for over 15 months, only for it to be revealed later, leading to the dismissal of all charges against Perez.
The Greeley Police Department conducted an internal investigation, which concluded that Serafino violated several departmental policies, including those pertaining to the preservation of evidence and the accuracy of reports. As a result, Serafino has been terminated from his position, according to Kristen Duus, the city’s public information officer.
In light of these findings, the city has retained outside counsel to represent Serafino. The recommendation to settle with Perez aims to resolve all her claims against both the city and Serafino, ensuring that she receives compensation for the emotional and financial toll this ordeal has taken on her life.
The outcome of tonight’s council meeting will have immediate implications for Perez and the community, addressing serious concerns over police conduct and accountability. If approved, the settlement will draw from the city’s claims reserve fund, bringing a long-overdue resolution to this distressing case.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as the Greeley City Council’s decision unfolds.
