A prosecutor in the case against Rogel Aguilera-Mederos, a truck driver sentenced to 110 years in prison for a 2019 explosion accident that killed four people, said she will seek a reduced sentence of 20 to 30 years at a hearing next week.
Rogel Aguilera-Mederos’ 110-year sentence could be reduced to 20 years
Colorado 1st Judicial District Attorney Alexis King, whose office led the state case against Aguilera-Mederos, 26, will make the request at a Dec. 27 hearing after filing a motion to reconsider the original sentence.
“Based on the facts of this case and the views of the victims and their families, my office will ask the court to consider a sentencing range of 20 to 30 years when it is prepared to address resentencing,” prosecutor King stipulated in a statement Thursday night.
“As determined by the jury, Mr. Aguilera-Mederos deliberately made multiple active decisions that resulted in the deaths of four people, serious injury to others, and mass destruction. This sentencing range reflects an appropriate outcome for that conduct, as it was no accident.”
“Given that the victims in this case have more than one opinion on an appropriate outcome, and this court heard the evidence presented, we believe this hearing is the best path to ensure justice for all involved.”
Aguilera-Mederos, 23 at the time, was driving an 18-wheeler semi on Interstate 70 in Lakewood near Denver, Colorado, on April 25, 2019, for his job as a driver for a Texas-based trucking company.
He said the truck’s brakes failed while driving downhill during rush hour and he lost control of the vehicle.
The truck plowed into dozens of vehicles and caused 28 of them to crash. A gas tank ignited, triggering an explosion that left four men dead.
Judge A Bruce Jones admitted he did not want to send the Cuban immigrant to life in prison, but his hands were tied because of Colorado law.
Under state law, charges are served consecutively rather than concurrently, so 110 years was the minimum possible sentence for the 27 counts.
