AARoads Forum

Regional Boards => Mountain West => Topic started by: rickmastfan67 on April 29, 2019, 07:01:00 AM

Title: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: rickmastfan67 on April 29, 2019, 07:01:00 AM
Truck driver avoids runaway ramp and crashes into stopped traffic from another wreck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbgUh2mHLIo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1r58hioHKQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=watGiEAkrk8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4J0sPrkfpc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18bp4u6RtH4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCZID209s3o
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: thenetwork on April 29, 2019, 10:51:12 AM
It was a tragic event.  There were only 4 fatalities -- it could've been much worse.

The local Denver stations were reporting this morning that the trucking company he worked for has had numerous violations and some other 'issues' with drivers in the recent past. 

I also heard there was a GoFundMe account to help pay for the truck drivers bond.  WTF???
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: Brian556 on April 29, 2019, 04:18:49 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on April 29, 2019, 10:51:12 AM
It was a tragic event.  There were only 4 fatalities -- it could've been much worse.

The local Denver stations were reporting this morning that the trucking company he worked for has had numerous violations and some other 'issues' with drivers in the recent past. 

I also heard there was a GoFundMe account to help pay for the truck drivers bond.  WTF???


It really pisses me off when people start GoFundMe accounts for those who cause accidents
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: thenetwork on April 29, 2019, 10:18:03 PM
Quote from: Brian556 on April 29, 2019, 04:18:49 PM
Quote from: thenetwork on April 29, 2019, 10:51:12 AM
It was a tragic event.  There were only 4 fatalities -- it could've been much worse.

The local Denver stations were reporting this morning that the trucking company he worked for has had numerous violations and some other 'issues' with drivers in the recent past. 

I also heard there was a GoFundMe account to help pay for the truck drivers bond.  WTF???


It really pisses me off when people start GoFundMe accounts for those who cause accidents

I gotta shake my head in confusion for those who put up roadside memorials for a person who was killed in single-car accidents because the individual did something stupid (driving under the influence, reckless driving, using cell phone,...) but did not harm anyone else.

"See where that stuffed teddy bear is with the cross over there?  That's where my drunk dumb ass neighbor did 120 into the telephone pole".
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: roadman65 on April 29, 2019, 10:42:44 PM
Truckers today have no common sense!  I deal with some at the toll plaza and many of them are totally ignorant of roads despite they drive them for a living.  Its not pleasant what I see, but its a miracle that more stuff like this does not happen.
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: Verlanka on April 30, 2019, 10:04:21 AM
Quote from: Brian556 on April 29, 2019, 04:18:49 PM
It really pisses me off when people start GoFundMe accounts for those who cause accidents
I agree.
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: renegade on April 30, 2019, 02:48:55 PM
If that was indeed the truck involved in the accident, the driver's legal problems began when he passed the runaway truck ramp shown in the last video.  If he had used that ramp, he would have been another nameless, faceless dumbass facing a huge tow bill instead of four counts of manslaughter.  I expect he will do some prison time as a result
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: Mark68 on May 01, 2019, 01:45:44 PM
The company the driver was working for is certainly no stranger to safety violations:

https://www.9news.com/article/news/investigations/trucking-company-connected-to-i-70-crash-has-history-of-safety-issues-involving-brakes/73-18e8ce1f-5486-4dc8-828c-e52b3fdd6239

"Online inspection reports from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reveal 30 violations connected to Castellano 03 trucking since late 2017.
At least 10 violations include issues like "brake tubing and hose adequacy"  and "clamp or Roto type brake out-of-adjustment," the reports say."
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: The Ghostbuster on May 01, 2019, 01:56:45 PM
How long might the truck driver spend in prison? I would expect a hefty sentence.
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: thspfc on May 03, 2019, 05:33:03 PM
This is terrible. It's hard to believe a person who drives for a living would overlook the dangers of driving his out of control truck straight into heavy traffic. Really, 23 year old drivers should stay off tricky roads like that part of I-70. Those jobs should go to more experienced drivers.
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: keithvh on May 04, 2019, 08:50:43 PM
The I-70 descent is well marked and well signed all the way from Idaho Springs to the C-470 interchange.

I think what a lot of people don't appreciate --- I-70 takes awhile after C-470 to truly flatten out.  It continues to have a non-insignificant downhill descent all the way from C-470 to C-58 (Golden Expressway).  The I-70/C-470 interchange is at 6180 feet.  The I-70/Denver West interchange (where the accident occurred) is at 5680 feet.

That's another 500 vertical feet over 3 horizontal miles.  Only a 3%-ish grade, but it's still downhill. 

Makes it even more important for trucks to use that runaway truck ramp up the hill if they can.  It's the only runaway truck ramp and there's more downhill than explicitly advertised ahead.
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: nexus73 on May 05, 2019, 10:04:20 AM
Quote from: thspfc on May 03, 2019, 05:33:03 PM
This is terrible. It's hard to believe a person who drives for a living would overlook the dangers of driving his out of control truck straight into heavy traffic. Really, 23 year old drivers should stay off tricky roads like that part of I-70. Those jobs should go to more experienced drivers.

If companies paid those who drive for a living a better wage as well as the mechanics, their accident rate would go down.  Turnover rates run in the 100% territory for many of the major carriers.  Management forgets the most valuable capital is human capital.  Truck drivers, as opposed to nuts behind the wheel, do not grow on trees! 

Rick
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: oscar on May 05, 2019, 11:49:11 AM
Quote from: nexus73 on May 05, 2019, 10:04:20 AM
If companies paid those who drive for a living a better wage as well as the mechanics, their accident rate would go down.  Turnover rates run in the 100% territory for many of the major carriers.  Management forgets the most valuable capital is human capital.  Truck drivers, as opposed to nuts behind the wheel, do not grow on trees!

Neither does the cash earned by trucking companies. What makes you think the companies can afford to pay the higher wages? The turnover rate you cite suggests it's not just the shakiest operations that are living on the edge, financially.
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: theroadwayone on May 25, 2019, 03:26:52 PM
I think 15 years per count is a decent enough sentence. He won't get out till he's in his 80s.
Title: Driver of semi in Denver crash that killed four sentenced to 110 years in prison
Post by: thspfc on December 17, 2021, 07:57:44 PM
I think there's an ancient thread on this crash, but I couldn't find it. There's been a lot of clamoring for the sentence to be shortened, including truckers going on strike.
Title: Re: Driver of semi in Denver crash that killed four sentenced to 110 years in prison
Post by: tolbs17 on December 17, 2021, 08:04:21 PM
Well Ryan Stone got sentenced to 160 years in prison for carjacking several people in the same location back on March 13, 2014.
Title: Re: Driver of semi in Denver crash that killed four sentenced to 110 years in prison
Post by: SectorZ on December 17, 2021, 08:14:23 PM
Are truckers seriously planning striking over this?

I get that the sentence may be aggressive, but we have video proof that this guy willfully avoided a runaway truck lane after he was losing control of the truck. That's when an accident leaps a bit beyond being an accident.

(Notwithstanding that very few crashes are "accidents" anyways).
Title: Re: Driver of semi in Denver crash that killed four sentenced to 110 years in prison
Post by: zzcarp on December 17, 2021, 08:39:00 PM
Quote from: SectorZ on December 17, 2021, 08:14:23 PM
Are truckers seriously planning striking over this?

I get that the sentence may be aggressive, but we have video proof that this guy willfully avoided a runaway truck lane after he was losing control of the truck. That's when an accident leaps a bit beyond being an accident.

(Notwithstanding that very few crashes are "accidents" anyways).

I've not heard anything locally about strikes. Most truck drivers know the difficulties of driving in the mountains and the requirement of specialized training to drive those routes.

The 110 year sentence was due to mandatory sentencing laws, and even the judge didn't want to sentence him for that long. Of course I have a friend in prison who got 17 years for burglary and assault where nothing was stolen and no one was hurt at all, so maybe the sentence is "appropriate" for 4 people killed in the context of our current judicial system. That said, I think 20 years is appropriate for the driver's willful negligence. I wouldn't be surprised if Gov. Polis commutes it to a more reasonable sentence after any appeals are done.
Title: Re: Driver of semi in Denver crash that killed four sentenced to 110 years in prison
Post by: Brandon on December 18, 2021, 06:08:12 AM
Quote from: thspfc on December 17, 2021, 07:57:44 PM
I think there's an ancient thread on this crash, but I couldn't find it. There's been a lot of clamoring for the sentence to be shortened, including truckers going on strike.

The big problem is that these are mandatory minimum sentences.  Even the sentencing judge though it was too long.
https://reason.com/2021/12/15/he-was-sentenced-to-110-years-in-prison-for-causing-fatal-traffic-accident-colorado-judge-mandatory-sentencing/
Title: Re: Driver of semi in Denver crash that killed four sentenced to 110 years in prison
Post by: ran4sh on December 18, 2021, 11:17:25 PM
Yeah, there may be truck driver opposition but the strong opposition comes from people who are against the idea of mandatory minimum sentences in general. Logically one would think that, if someone doesn't deserve the mandatory minimum (i.e. a lower sentence would be appropriate) then they should just be ruled not guilty, but in practice that's not what happens.
Title: Re: Driver of semi in Denver crash that killed four sentenced to 110 years in prison
Post by: ilpt4u on December 18, 2021, 11:24:24 PM
I believe this is the original post about this incident: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=24919.0

I'll let the Mods decide if this should be merged into that thread

AFA the sentencing...If it is too long, let the Lawyers deal with it on Appeal. People died because a Trucker didn't use the available runaway truck ramps with failing breaks coming out of the Rockies into Denver
Title: Re: Driver of semi in Denver crash that killed four sentenced to 110 years in prison
Post by: rickmastfan67 on December 19, 2021, 06:48:00 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on December 18, 2021, 11:24:24 PM
I believe this is the original post about this incident: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=24919.0

I’ll let the Mods decide if this should be merged into that thread

AFA the sentencing…If it is too long, let the Lawyers deal with it on Appeal. People died because a Trucker didn’t use the available runaway truck ramps with failing breaks coming out of the Rockies into Denver

Now merged.
Title: Re: Driver of semi in Denver crash that killed four sentenced to 110 years in prison
Post by: SD Mapman on December 20, 2021, 05:45:50 PM
Quote from: zzcarp on December 17, 2021, 08:39:00 PM
I've not heard anything locally about strikes.
Not sure if it would really be a strike, but more of a embargo on Colorado per the TikTok posts in this article: https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/20/22846630/truck-drivers-boycott-colorado-after-driver-sentenced-to-110-years-in-prison (https://www.deseret.com/2021/12/20/22846630/truck-drivers-boycott-colorado-after-driver-sentenced-to-110-years-in-prison)
Now, I'm not sure if these TikTok posts are legit ("Believe everything you see on the Internet" - Abraham Lincoln) or just trying to incite controversy.
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: KCRoadFan on December 20, 2021, 05:53:38 PM
I'm guessing that he drove the truck with the faulty brakes because the company wanted the load delivered by a certain time, and that if he had the truck fixed, he might have been fired or at least lost that day's pay. Or so I have heard.

In that case, it's at least partly the company's fault, and he should be let off - or at least have the sentence reduced. What do you think?
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: Rothman on December 20, 2021, 06:08:32 PM
Quote from: KCRoadFan on December 20, 2021, 05:53:38 PM
I'm guessing that he drove the truck with the faulty brakes because the company wanted the load delivered by a certain time, and that if he had the truck fixed, he might have been fired or at least lost that day's pay. Or so I have heard.

In that case, it's at least partly the company's fault, and he should be let off - or at least have the sentence reduced. What do you think?
No.  The driver should be held accountable for incompetence shown in the video.  Yes, the sentence was too harsh.

I also don't think we know if the truck had faulty brakes from the beginning.

That said, the company should be held accoutable for putting an undertrained and inexperienced driver on that route.

Has any action been taken against his employer?
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: JREwing78 on December 20, 2021, 06:47:53 PM
The company in question has since gone defunct. Whether that's a sufficient penalty for faulty maintenance, or whether those responsible for any lack of maintenance should be individually held responsible - well, that's up to the victim's families at this point.

I have a hard time mustering up much sympathy for Mr. Aguilera-Mederos. He accepted the load and the truck in the condition they were in. He failed to learn basic information about trucking in a mountain setting. He failed to perform several basic steps to safely navigate the I-70 corridor in his truck. He didn't take the runaway truck ramp when offered to him. He had no business driving that truck, and yet he did it anyway to tragic consequences.

I could seen an argument for a 20 year sentence being more appropriate to the crime. But he's far from blameless. He needs to do hard time for his actions.
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: DJStephens on December 21, 2021, 07:42:55 AM
Quote from: Rothman on December 20, 2021, 06:08:32 PM
   No.  The driver should be held accountable for incompetence shown in the video.  Yes, the sentence was too harsh. 
   Don't think we know if the truck had faulty brakes from the beginning.
   That said, the company should be held accountable for putting an under-trained and inexperienced driver on that route.  Has any action been taken against his employer?

Agreed on these points.  The question still remains - why did the driver avoid using the runaway ramps???  JR Ewings statement that he will wind up doing 20 years is probably what will happen. 
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: kalvado on December 21, 2021, 10:05:09 AM
Quote from: DJStephens on December 21, 2021, 07:42:55 AM
Quote from: Rothman on December 20, 2021, 06:08:32 PM
   No.  The driver should be held accountable for incompetence shown in the video.  Yes, the sentence was too harsh. 
   Don't think we know if the truck had faulty brakes from the beginning.
   That said, the company should be held accountable for putting an under-trained and inexperienced driver on that route.  Has any action been taken against his employer?

Agreed on these points.  The question still remains - why did the driver avoid using the runaway ramps???  JR Ewings statement that he will wind up doing 20 years is probably what will happen.
Runaway ramp is one single mistake which really makes a difference.
However, bigger message IMHO is that in a race to the bottom company will not support the driver should anything happen, and everyone is willing to throw driver under the bus (or truck). Be it on schedule or in case of an accident. Way to attract quality workforce.
And with self driving being always just a few years away...
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: hbelkins on December 21, 2021, 05:41:28 PM
Quote from: DJStephens on December 21, 2021, 07:42:55 AM
Quote from: Rothman on December 20, 2021, 06:08:32 PM
   No.  The driver should be held accountable for incompetence shown in the video.  Yes, the sentence was too harsh. 
   Don't think we know if the truck had faulty brakes from the beginning.
   That said, the company should be held accountable for putting an under-trained and inexperienced driver on that route.  Has any action been taken against his employer?

Agreed on these points.  The question still remains - why did the driver avoid using the runaway ramps???  JR Ewings statement that he will wind up doing 20 years is probably what will happen.

The video I saw showed the truck between the center and left lanes, with no one in the right lane to impede his access to the runaway ramp. It also showed the truck's brakes smoking.
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: kkt on January 05, 2022, 05:17:54 PM
Quote from: nexus73 on May 05, 2019, 10:04:20 AM
Quote from: thspfc on May 03, 2019, 05:33:03 PM
This is terrible. It's hard to believe a person who drives for a living would overlook the dangers of driving his out of control truck straight into heavy traffic. Really, 23 year old drivers should stay off tricky roads like that part of I-70. Those jobs should go to more experienced drivers.

If companies paid those who drive for a living a better wage as well as the mechanics, their accident rate would go down.  Turnover rates run in the 100% territory for many of the major carriers.  Management forgets the most valuable capital is human capital.  Truck drivers, as opposed to nuts behind the wheel, do not grow on trees! 

Rick

Wow, I find myself in full agreement!  That either means the universe is about to end... or that we're both right.  One of the two.
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: ilpt4u on January 05, 2022, 06:51:42 PM
Just to put a button on the sentancing issue, the Governor of Colorado commuted the sentence of the driver from the original 110 years to now 10 years

I guess Governor powers of commutation is a partial guard against minimum sentences

https://www.fox21news.com/top-stories/governor-polis-grants-commutation-to-i-70-truck-driver-reduces-sentence-to-10-years/
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: zzcarp on January 05, 2022, 11:33:38 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on January 05, 2022, 06:51:42 PM
Just to put a button on the sentancing issue, the Governor of Colorado commuted the sentence of the driver from the original 110 years to now 10 years

I guess Governor powers of commutation is a partial guard against minimum sentences

https://www.fox21news.com/top-stories/governor-polis-grants-commutation-to-i-70-truck-driver-reduces-sentence-to-10-years/

The governor didn't wait for the judicial process to play out. There was a hearing scheduled for January 13 for sentence reduction, but the governor short-circuited that. He also released the commutation during the major fire on Saturday, thus shielding his move from media scrutiny.
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: Rothman on January 06, 2022, 12:07:58 AM
The Governor set the fire?
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: US 89 on January 06, 2022, 12:49:59 AM
Quote from: Rothman on January 06, 2022, 12:07:58 AM
The Governor set the fire?

This is actually a fascinating conspiracy theory because the previous explanation for how the fire started (downed power lines in the wind) turned out to be not true. All we know is that the Boulder County sheriff's department served a warrant related to the fire at a private address nearby. :hmm:
Title: Re: Massive 28 vehicle wreck on I-70, 4 dead
Post by: triplemultiplex on January 06, 2022, 11:47:47 AM
Pretty lame conspiracy theory.
Go big or go home:
It was Israeli space lasers! DERRPPTT!