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The chain-reaction wreck ruptured gas tanks, causing flames that consumed several vehicles and melted parts of the highway.
The Colorado truck driver involved in a pileup that killed four and injured six on an interstate in 2019 got emotional when he addressed the court before receiving a sentence of 110 years in prison.
Rogel Aguilera-Medros, 26, who was convicted of vehicular homicide and other charges, testified that he tried to slam on the brakes to stop his semitrailer hauling lumber on April 25, 2019, but said they failed. Prosecutors focused on his decision not to take any runaway truck ramps while traveling about 85 mph on Interstate 70 west of Denver.
The chain-reaction wreck ruptured gas tanks, causing flames that consumed several vehicles and melted parts of the highway. Those killed were Miguel Angel Lamas Arellano, 24; William Bailey, 67; Doyle Harrison, 61; and Stanley Politano, 69.
"I am not a criminal," he said. "I am not a murderer. I am not a killer. When I look at my charges, we are talking about a murderer, which is not me. I have never thought about hurting anybody in my entire life."
District Court Judge Bruce Jones imposed the sentence after finding it was the mandatory minimum term under state law, The Denver Post reported.
"I will state that if I had the discretion, it would not be my sentence," the judge said.
A post from the comment section: I'm a 20 years experienced trucker, and the dirty little truth is truckers receive no formal training on mountain driving. He very well may have been going the correct speed of 45mph, but in the wrong gear. This would have resulted in his brakes heating up and failing. Then he may have felt he was going too fast to use the run off ramps, or he felt he could get the truck to the bottom without using them, which he did, but didn't take into account that traffic at the bottom might change. There should be mandatory certification for driving on mountain grades.
The Colorado truck driver involved in a pileup that killed four and injured six on an interstate in 2019 got emotional when he addressed the court before receiving a sentence of 110 years in prison.
Rogel Aguilera-Medros, 26, who was convicted of vehicular homicide and other charges, testified that he tried to slam on the brakes to stop his semitrailer hauling lumber on April 25, 2019, but said they failed. Prosecutors focused on his decision not to take any runaway truck ramps while traveling about 85 mph on Interstate 70 west of Denver.
The chain-reaction wreck ruptured gas tanks, causing flames that consumed several vehicles and melted parts of the highway. Those killed were Miguel Angel Lamas Arellano, 24; William Bailey, 67; Doyle Harrison, 61; and Stanley Politano, 69.
"I am not a criminal," he said. "I am not a murderer. I am not a killer. When I look at my charges, we are talking about a murderer, which is not me. I have never thought about hurting anybody in my entire life."
District Court Judge Bruce Jones imposed the sentence after finding it was the mandatory minimum term under state law, The Denver Post reported.
"I will state that if I had the discretion, it would not be my sentence," the judge said.
A post from the comment section: I'm a 20 years experienced trucker, and the dirty little truth is truckers receive no formal training on mountain driving. He very well may have been going the correct speed of 45mph, but in the wrong gear. This would have resulted in his brakes heating up and failing. Then he may have felt he was going too fast to use the run off ramps, or he felt he could get the truck to the bottom without using them, which he did, but didn't take into account that traffic at the bottom might change. There should be mandatory certification for driving on mountain grades.
Colorado trucker in deadly pileup gets 110 years, gets emotional at sentencing
A Colorado truck driver has been sentenced after being involved in an interstate pileup that killed four people. 'I am not a criminal.'
www.foxnews.com