Colorado Truck Driver Who Killed Four Sentenced to 110 Years in Prison
A truck driver crashed into traffic on Interstate 70 in Denver, Colorado, killing four people back in 2019. According to CNN, the man was sentenced to 110 years in prison on Monday. What happened during the crash to get this man over a century in prison? This semi-truck crash is a bit more complicated than an ordinary car accident.
The Colorado truck driver killed four
He claimed that the driver of a semi-tractor-trailer was traveling at 85 mph when the brakes failed. After attempting to pull over to the shoulder to avoid traffic, he abruptly reached another semi already there. This crash led to a 28-car pileup, and four people lost their lives. Additionally, another six people were seriously injured and needed to be rushed to the hospital. Consequently, the driver was found guilty in October, convicted of vehicular homicide and 23 other charges.
The remaining 23 charges include six counts of assault in the first degree, ten counts of attempt to commit assault in the first degree, two counts of vehicular assault, one count of reckless driving, and four counts of careless driving causing death. In conclusion, the minimum available sentence for all these charges was 110 consecutive years behind bars. According to the Colorado District Court Judge, the driver is bound to the mandatory-minimum sentencing laws in the state.
Truck driver’s lawyer pleads his case following 110 year sentence
Attorney James Colgan, who represents the semi-truck driver, told CNN the following: “There will be an appeal as to the facts and mistakes made in the trial. The issue with this appeal will not be the sentence itself. Under the law, the Court was not incorrect. However, the law, as written, is barbaric and Draconian. There needs to be a change in the law.”
According to an arrest affidavit, the sentenced man told investigators at the time that he thought he was going to die. As a result, he closed his eyes as he crashed into the traffic, causing the massive pileup. As a result, the man will live out his years in prison.
The Colorado truck driver who killed four people was sentenced to 110 years in prison. If a brake failure indeed did occur, is the driver to blame for being unable to stop? According to the Colorado General Assembly, the speed limit on Interstate 70 in Denver is 55 mph. The primary source of being unable to brake and making the crash so dangerous was the speed at which he drove. Speed limits are in place for a reason, and 30 mph too fast is a lot.
Colorado state laws – vehicular homicide
The defendant was charged first and foremost with vehicular homicide. According to Colorado State laws, that’s a class 4 felony which can lead to 2-6 years in prison and/or a fine ranging from $2,000 to $500,000. The number of years and the range of the fine increases dramatically if the driver is under the influence of alcohol.
It seems that this particular semi-truck driver received the high-end of the punishment. The reason being is that there are also 23 other charges, which include assault, reckless driving, and careless driving, resulting in death. All those add up quickly, and that’s how the Colorado truck driver ended up with an 110-year sentencing.
