JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — The driver of a semitruck in a fiery Interstate 70 crash that killed four people in 2019 was sentenced to 110 consecutive years in prison Monday.
Aguilera-Mederos spoke at the sentencing and became very emotional.
“This was a terrible accident, I know, I carry the responsibility. But it wasn’t intentional. I have never thought about hurting anybody in my entire life,” Aguilera-Mederos said.
You can watch the full video in the player above.
“Hopefully the judge’s sentence provides a sense of justice to the victims, our community and everyone who was impacted by this tragedy,” the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. “We greatly appreciate the service by the members of the jury and the extensive investigative efforts by the Lakewood Police Department and numerous other local and state agencies that assisted.”
Aguilera-Mederos, 26, was driving the 18-wheeler when he crashed into more than two dozen stopped vehicles and four semitrailers on I-70 in Lakewood.
A jury found Aguilera-Mederos guilty of 27 counts in Oct.:
- Vehicular homicide: 4 counts
- Vehicular assault: 2 counts
- Assault in the first degree – extreme indifference: 6 counts
- Criminal attempt to commit assault in the first degree: 10 counts
- Reckless driving: 1 count
- Careless driving causing death: 4 counts
He was found not guilty of 15 counts of criminal attempts to commit assault in the first degree.
Aguilera-Moderos was driving a semi-trailer loaded with lumber. Prosecutors say he barreled eastbound down the interstate from the mountains at speeds of up to 85 miles per hour. His truck swerved at times, forcing other drivers off the road.
A giant fireball erupted after Aguileras-Mederos slammed into dozens of cars already backed up on the highway because of an earlier crash.
Aquilaras-Mederos claimed the brakes on the truck failed and he lost control.