Colorado DA seeks review of truck driver’s 110-year sentence in deadly crash

A Colorado district attorney has moved for a hearing to examine whether a 110-year prison sentence for a truck driver who killed four people in a crash in 2019 should stand.

Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, 26, was sentenced to the lengthy term last week because of state laws that require sentences for certain crimes to be served consecutively, or back to back.

The 100-year-plus sentence was quickly criticized by some and prompted calls for a reduction. More than 4.6 million people have signed a petition asking Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, to grant clemency or commute the sentence.

First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King filed a motion Friday for a hearing to reconsider the sentence under the state’s mandatory minimum law.

“The law also permits the Court to reconsider its sentence in an exceptional case involving unusual and extenuating circumstances,” the motion reads.

Aguilera-Mederos, who was hauling lumber in a tractor-trailer on Interstate 70 on April 25, 2019, said his brakes failed before he crashed into traffic that had been stopped for another accident in Lakewood. A fire erupted, engulfing vehicles.

Doyle Harrison, 61; William Bailey, 67; Stanley Politano, 69; and Miguel Lamas Arrellano, 24, were killed.

The chain-reaction crash and fire involved 28 vehicles. The semi was traveling an estimated 84 mph before the crash.

Source: Colorado DA seeks review of truck driver’s 110-year sentence in deadly crash

Colorado Springs: Gunman shoots dead six people and himself at birthday party – BBC News

A gunman shot dead six people and then himself at a birthday party in Colorado Springs on Sunday, US police said.

The shootings took place at a mobile home park where families had gathered in one trailer to celebrate.

“The suspect, a boyfriend of one of the female victims, drove to the residence, walked inside and began shooting people at the party before taking his own life,” the Colorado Springs Police Department said.

The motive for the attack is not known.

The victims were all adults, but a number of children were present in the trailer at the time.

The identities of the victims and the attacker have not yet been released.

Source: Colorado Springs: Gunman shoots dead six people and himself at birthday party – BBC News

East Troublesome Fire in Colorado evacuations underway – CNN

(CNN)The East Troublesome Fire continues to devastate parts of northern Colorado, swallowing homes and businesses in its path.

Long lines of cars made their way out of the area as the fire grew Thursday. And traffic out of the small town of Estes Park was crawling as hundreds tried to evacuate, according to CNN affiliate KUSA.
Families who have already fled the area have been watching their homes go up in flames on home security cameras. One woman saw the fire rush toward her family cabin and doesn’t know if anything is left of her house.
“I can’t begin to tell you, it was so gut-wrenching when I opened up the app and I saw fire coming up our driveway and up the hillside,” Katy Brown told KUSA. “It was horrific, absolutely horrific to watch. I’ve never experienced anything like that before.”

Source: East Troublesome Fire in Colorado evacuations underway – CNN

Colorado Highway Crash: Fiery 28-Vehicle Pileup Closes I-70 Near Denver : NPR

The crash involved at least 24 cars and four semis. One of the trucks was carrying a flatbed full of lumber — which contributed to a large fire on the roadway.

Six people were taken to the hospital, including the driver of the semi. That driver, who sustained minor injuries, is now in police custody and is being charged with multiple counts of vehicular homicide, Countryman said. Police did not identify the driver, other than to say he’s not from Colorado.

Parts of I-70 remain closed Friday morning — and highway officials say it isn’t likely to open until sometime Saturday. The closure caused long delays in the morning commute, with investigators still combing the area, and workers trying to clean up debris in the eastbound lanes where the crash took place. Westbound lanes are also closed, with motorists using a detour to avoid a bridge where the greatest damage occurred.

Source: Colorado Highway Crash: Fiery 28-Vehicle Pileup Closes I-70 Near Denver : NPR

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