Current Events > 110 years in prison in Colorado for a man in a crash that killed 4.

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://denver.cbslocal.com/2021/12/13/rogel-aguilera-mederos-sentence-jefferson-county-judge-semi-driver-110-years-prison-accident-killed-four

What's unique here is that, well, one, I think it truly was an accident and the guy is very remorseful, and two, the judge didn't want this long sentence for him, but some kind of law
says the guy has to get this tough sentence.

Judge Sentences Rogel Aguilera-Mederos To 110 Years In Prison For Fiery I-70 Crash

"JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) A judge in Jefferson County sentenced Rogel Aguilera-Mederos to 110 years in prison Monday for the crash that killed four people and injured several more. Aguilera-Mederos was the driver of an out-of-control semi that crashed into stopped traffic on Interstate 70 in 2019.

Before the decision was read, the families of those killed spoke about their loss."

Its been difficult, sometimes it feels like being half a person, said Kathleen Harrison who lost her husband Doyle Harrison in the crash.
Others shared stories about the impact of their loss.

My mothers life has been turned upside down, the brother of Angel Miguel Angel Lamas told the court.

From a wheelchair, the mother of Bill Bailey lashed out at the driver for decisions he made that led to the crash and the death of her son.

He was taken away from me in an instant by the actions of a selfish person, Juanita Bailey told the judge.

Aguilera-Mederos didnt take a runaway truck ramp after losing the brakes on his truck, a point the prosecution focused on during the trial and one the jury would use as a factor to convict him on more than 20 counts. The most serious, vehicular homicide.

It hurts, I ask god too many times why them and not me? Why did I survive that accident? Aguilera-Mederos said to the court.

While family members of those lost called for some prison time, they also spoke of forgiveness.

I do believe [the driver] needs to take responsibility for their actions. I know they did not intend for this to happen, but because of your actions it did happen, Megan Harrison said.

The judge also acknowledged that Aguilera-Mederos didnt intend to harm anyone, but that under guidelines set by the law his sentence could be no less than 110 years.

I accept and respect what the defendant has said about his lack of intent to hurt people, but he made a series of terrible decisions, reckless decisions, the judge said.

If I had the discretion it would not be my sentence, said the judge.
Attorneys for Aguilera-Mederos argued there is case law that should apply and would allow for the minimum sentence, in this case, to be decreased to 20 years. The judge disagreed, but did say it may be a case that may be appropriate for review.

What did the driver do exactly that was their decision? It said out of control semi thats it. Did his breaks fail? Did he fall asleep at the wheel? Was he just driving too fast? Why are they getting 110 years?

what's a runaway truck ramp? I've literally never seen or heard of that. I've seen maybe like 3 spots on highways around here where a truck driver could actually pull an out of control truck off the main highway, but then they're either driving straight into trees or buildings

I need some details here. Cause this sounds like BS.

Mistere Man posted...

Did his breaks fail?

That's what he claims.

Here's NBC's report of the incident...

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/truck-driver-fiery-colorado-crash-charged-40-counts-may-face-n1001941

thronedfire2 posted...

what's a runaway truck ramp? I've literally never seen or heard of that. I've seen maybe like 3 spots on highways around here where a truck driver could actually pull an out of control truck off the main highway, but then they're either driving straight into trees or buildings

it's literally just an artificial ramp, usually partway down a big hill, that lets a driver use gravity to stop a truck's momentum instead of its breaks.

what a shit way to write an article. there's no god damn detail to it.

thronedfire2 posted...

what's a runaway truck ramp? I've literally never seen or heard of that. I've seen maybe like 3 spots on highways around here where a truck driver could actually pull an out of control truck off the main highway, but then they're either driving straight into trees or buildings

In Colorado a semi can lose it breaks and be unable to stop while going down hills (like in the mountains) so they have rap like road built on the sides of many roads so they can turn to that to halt their momentum. Also ice from snow can be a reason to use one.

Unless he was drunk or on something this is complete bull shit. You cant give someone life for a very clear accident.

Mistere Man posted...

In Colorado a semi can lose it breaks and be unable to stop while going down hills (like in the mountains) so they have rap like road built on the sides of many roads so they can turn to that to halt their momentum. Also ice from snow can be a reason to use one.

ah that makes sense. there's only one highway with a hill I've ever driven on here, and that is one of the ones that has extra room on the sides

Here's a local video report...

https://youtu.be/AY6toVESun4

VipaGTS posted...

Unless he was drunk or on something this is complete bull shit. You cant give someone life for a very clear accident.

Yeah, this seems a bit mental.

DeadBankerDream posted...

I need some details here. Cause this sounds like BS.

Guy was a semi truck driver carrying a full load of lumber going downhill on I 70. His brakes failed for whatever reason and the major detail is he didnt take the runaway truck ramp on that stretch of road to avoid an accident and slammed into stopped traffic going 85mph where the speed limit was 45.

He got charged with a ton of stuff since 27 cars were involved in the accident and theres a law that requires truck drivers to serve consecutive sentences instead of concurrent sentences in major accidents like that.

I expected this to be a DUI case.

So he's being charged with murder because he didn't take the runaway ramp. That could be a simple mistake. Like he didn't think quick enough and missed the ramp.

My step father decapitated someone when he swerved in the wrong lane to miss a car. He wasn't charged with anything. There must be something more to this case

This is a pic of a truck ramp over Wolf Creek Pass, near Pagosa Springs in Colorado.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/8/3/AABUaRAACsxj.jpg

The pass itself is like 4 to 6 miles of downhill travel in either direction, there's a few of these.

Even the brakes in my Civic were struggling by the end before I knew to downshift.

The issue with this is the same as with the War on Drugs: mandatory minimum sentencing tying a judge's hands and FORCING them to give extreme sentences.

There have been instances of judges in tears because they cannot give someone a just sentence because of bullshit like this.

People have intentionally murdered just as much people and gotten less years.

Mormaurd posted...

Guy was a semi truck driver carrying a full load of lumber going downhill on I 70. His brakes failed for whatever reason and the major detail is he didnt take the runaway truck ramp on that stretch of road to avoid an accident and slammed into stopped traffic going 85mph where the speed limit was 45.

He got charged with a ton of stuff since 27 cars were involved in the accident and theres a law that requires truck drivers to serve consecutive sentences instead of concurrent sentences in major accidents like that.

Well said.

VipaGTS posted...

Unless he was drunk or on something this is complete bull shit. You cant give someone life for a very clear accident.

But he didn't think to take the runaway truck ramp that many people have never even heard of while he was in that incredibly stressful situation, so it's obviously all his fault!

He also wasnt charged with murder. It was 4 counts vehicular homicide, six counts of assault in the first degree, and 10 counts of attempt to commit assault in the first degree given he chose not to take the runaway ramp.

Mormaurd posted...

Guy was a semi truck driver carrying a full load of lumber going downhill on I 70. His brakes failed for whatever reason and the major detail is he didnt take the runaway truck ramp on that stretch of road to avoid an accident and slammed into stopped traffic going 85mph where the speed limit was 45.

He got charged with a ton of stuff since 27 cars were involved in the accident and theres a law that requires truck drivers to serve consecutive sentences instead of concurrent sentences in major accidents like that.

Hmmm... looking up what a Runaway truck ramp is, I could see why not taking it would result in charges, even if I can see how in that moment being unable to make a proper decision on something so crucial is something that could probably happen through no fault or malice. And the law being such, yeah... Law seems unreasonable, even if I understand the intent behind it.

Mormaurd posted...

Guy was a semi truck driver carrying a full load of lumber going downhill on I 70. His brakes failed for whatever reason and the major detail is he didnt take the runaway truck ramp on that stretch of road to avoid an accident and slammed into stopped traffic going 85mph where the speed limit was 45.

He got charged with a ton of stuff since 27 cars were involved in the accident and theres a law that requires truck drivers to serve consecutive sentences instead of concurrent sentences in major accidents like that.

and cops can kill people unjustly and get paid vacation

no wonder companies can't hire enough truck drivers

DeadBankerDream posted...

Hmmm... looking up what a Runaway truck ramp is, I could see why not taking it would result in charges, even if I can see how in that moment being unable to make a proper decision on something so crucial is something that could probably happen through no fault or malice. And the law being such, yeah... Law seems unreasonable, even if I understand the intent behind it.

The other link said there was already a truck on the rap so he turned back into traffic sadly. In hindsight it would possibly have been better to try and squeeze in or just hit the other truck, but they may not have survived that depending on what exactly they hit.

So basically the truck driver lost his breaks then instead of using the side ramps designed to stop a truck that has the breaks fail he decided to just keep going.

The runaway truck ramps are put on the downhill of mountain passes when a truck or car without breaks would keep going forever until they crash.

Choosing to stay in the road once the breaks failed is going to always as to cause a crash, that is why he got sentenced in this case, the length of the minimum sentence might be because of the speed of the collision.

charey posted...

the length of the minimum sentence might be because of the speed of the collision.

It very thoroughly and obviously is not.

We could send 110 kids to Harvard instead

DeadBankerDream posted...

Hmmm... looking up what a Runaway truck ramp is

I never heard of it either. Who would think to look for some shit like that...?

I literally posted a picture of one.

DrizztLink posted...

I literally posted a picture of one.

I'm saying I never heard of them before now, and the pic.

In that case:

Cocytus posted...

Who would think to look for some shit like that...?

Truck drivers.

They're very obvious, the road curves away but the ramp is directly ahead.

Not saying that has any bearing on this case, I just have familiarity with them.

DrizztLink posted...

This is a pic of a truck ramp over Wolf Creek Pass, near Pagosa Springs in Colorado.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/6/8/3/AABUaRAACsxj.jpg

so is the regular road at the top of that hill and the truck went all the way down that ramp and crashed?

there's nothing like that around where I drive

thronedfire2 posted...

so is the regular road at the top of that hill and the truck went all the way down that ramp and crashed?

there's nothing like that around where I drive

If it's the one I'm thinking of, that is the ramp.

The road goes off to the left of the picture, the truck goes up that hill until it stops.

I don't know what happened in this particular case (the pictured, not the topic), this was just the only image of one I could find.

ok I see the road on the left now

DrizztLink posted...

The road goes off to the left of the picture, the truck goes up that hill until it stops.

If it's out of control though couldn't it fly right off at the top of the ramp?

nah trucks are so heavy that I don't think it would make it up that. maybe fall off the side of it, but I guess the logic is it's better if only the truck driver is injured. that crashed one looks like it probably got halfway up and slid back down

Cocytus posted...

If it's out of control though couldn't it fly right off at the top of the ramp?

It's a LOT steeper than it looks, as well as longer.

Plus the dirt is intentionally loose.

The picture gives it a weird effect, looking at it from the bottom is like looking up a ski slope.

Wtf @ people assuming that just because they've never heard of a runaway truck ramp that they're some rare/forgotten thing.

fair next

Bio1590 posted...

Wtf @ people assuming that just because they've never heard of a runaway truck ramp that they're some rare/forgotten thing.

yeah I don't get that lol, I'm assuming truck drivers specifically would know where they are on their routes

Bio1590 posted...

Wtf @ people assuming that just because they've never heard of a runaway truck ramp that they're some rare/forgotten thing.

thronedfire2 posted...

yeah I don't get that lol, I'm assuming truck drivers specifically would know where they are on their routes

It's hard to conceptualize something you've never experienced.

Hell, imagine explaining them to someone from the Midwest with no experience of mountains.

It'd be like them explaining tornadoes to me, who has never experienced one and thus can't fully grasp the magnitude.

EmbraceOfDeath posted...

But he didn't think to take the runaway truck ramp that many people have never even heard of while he was in that incredibly stressful situation, so it's obviously all his fault!

If you're a truck driver you know what those are and what those do.

If the brakes on the truck really did fail I'm kind of curious as to how. Modern trucks have a lot of safety advancements in regards to brakes and there's literally back-up systems to the back-up systems of the back-up systems.

That being said if he did consciously choose to not take the runaway ramp then there's no way you can call this an "accident".

thronedfire2 posted...

nah trucks are so heavy that I don't think it would make it up that. maybe fall off the side of it, but I guess the logic is it's better if only the truck driver is injured. that crashed one looks like it probably got halfway up and slid back down

You're literally not supposed to make it up. It's supposed to stop you. If you actually make it to the top then it's like holy fuck how fast were you going.

Here's a video of the same highway with a truck that had to use the ramp.

https://youtu.be/h5KgKebgkwk

Cocytus posted...

Aguilera-Mederos didnt take a runaway truck ramp after

fair;next

Tyranthraxus posted...

Here's a video of the same highway with a truck that had to use the ramp.

https://youtu.be/h5KgKebgkwk

Yeah, that bit at 1:50 is what I remember from that drive.

They also have signs on the side of the road telling everyone where and how far the next truck ramp is...

But that consecutive sentence law there is messed up. The judge didn't even want to do it. I hope he gets a good appeal in a decade.

What_ posted...

fair;next

This is why reading is important.

which wealthy family member did he accidentally kill

From a policy/jurisprudence standpoint, I vehemently disagree with the mandatory consecutive sentence statute at play here.