Posted on 12/31/2021 5:50:41 AM PST by fluorescence
DENVER (AP) — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Thursday shortened the prison sentence of a truck driver convicted in a deadly crash to 10 years, drastically reducing his original 110-year term that drew widespread outrage.
The decision on Rogel Aguilera-Mederos’ sentence was among several year-end commutations and pardons issued by Polis.
The move comes days after a judge scheduled a hearing for next month to reconsider the sentence at the request of the district attorney, who planned to ask that it be reduced to 20 to 30 years.
Around 5 million people signed an online petition seeking clemency for Aguilera-Mederos, who was convicted of vehicular homicide and other charges in the explosive 2019 pileup that killed four people.
[snip]
The crash killed 24-year-old Miguel Angel Lamas Arellano, 67-year-old William Bailey, 61-year-old Doyle Harrison and 69-year-old Stanley Politano.
In a letter to Aguilera-Mederos explaining his decision, Polis said that while he was not blameless in the crash, the 110-year sentence was disproportionate when compared with inmates who committed intentional, premeditated or violent crimes.
The governor said the case would hopefully spur a discussion about sentencing laws, but he noted any future changes would not help Aguilera-Mederos.
“There is an urgency to remedy this unjust sentence and restore confidence in the uniformity and fairness of our criminal justice system, and consequently I have chosen to commute your sentence now,” Polis wrote.
(Excerpt) Read more at ktar.com ...
So those folks’ lives are worth 2 1/2 years each. And he’ll be out on parole when ?
Yep. The 110 years was dumb, but 10 years is equally dumb. 25 years would have been a better compromise.
‘Aguilera-Mederos testified that he was hauling lumber when the brakes on his semitrailer failed as he was descending a steep grade of Interstate 70 in the Rocky Mountain foothills. His truck plowed into vehicles that had slowed because of another wreck, setting off a chain-reaction crash and a fireball that consumed vehicles and melted parts of the highway.”
Trucking company officials should also get jail time for putting a totally inexperienced driver on the road with such a load. He had no clue how to handle the terrain.
I only followed this case peripherally. Did the driver ever provide his reason(s) for not using the runaway truck ramp?
A lot of people here will remember this one where a drunk guy driving the wrong way on the interstate highway hit a bus and killed 27. He served 9 1/2 years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrollton_bus_collision
Hmmm. I can sympathize, but not sure about any outrageous commutation. So now will folks assume they can reduce any sentence with a petition?
I’m sure this has NOTHING to do with the fact that truckers refused to drive in or through Colorado until this was resolved.
I’m guessing he thought he could weave his way down the mountain without hitting anything and coast to a stop. Piling up his rig on a runaway truck ramp probably would have cost him job.
I hope that’s a mandatory 10yrs with no parole. And I’d like to see the owner of the trucking company do time, too.
Maybe karma will strike him dead.
While it certainly sounds like the original sentence was out of line, when the governor says it is disproportionally high compared to people who intentionally cause the loss of life, now my blood boils. The problem is the sentences are TOO LOW for those intentionally cause death. But hey, it is Colorado and the governor wants to score some points.
Four deaths due to driver negligence. The sentence was already scheduled for reconsideration next month. I’m baffled as why the governor made this chaotic move.
Sorry folks but I take a different stance, he killed four people he should have gotten life with no parol. Second best would have been the chair. I believe in second chances but not when you kill people.
Did the governor commute the death sentences of the four victims? That would seem overly harsh as well.../s
Its a real tragedy. However still have trouble jailing for ten years a hard working young man who made a not uncommon, unintentional error in judgment.
Gearing down at the top of the hill before you head down is THE most important practice. Gear down to 40 miles an hour at the top, Because even with the engine brake and good braking practices, on steep long hills you are going to have to upshift at least once, maybe twice before you get to the bottom. If not you will over rev the engine and destroy it. Doing this correctly and not goof those shifts should still maintain a controllable speed by the time you reach the bottom of the grade. It starts with prevention at the top of the grade.
This guy probably just bailed off the top with his cruise control on at max speed. Without gearing down before going over it is too late, You will NOT be able to downshift after the fact. You will just end up in neutral coasting and not be able to get it into any gear. And the engine brake does no good at all in neutral. No getting it back at that point even with the best of brakes.
I have been down some hills where even practicing everything right my knees were shaking and I was thanking God that I was able to successfully grab those gears on the way down. It is definitely not a time to be talking or texting on the phone. You better be on the top of your game.
How was it driver negligence?
He did not own the tractor/trailer. The owner of trucking company should be liable for negligent homicide.
Has it been proven that there was something wrong with the truck? The truck could have been working perfect and this could have still happened with an experienced driver behind the wheel. The problem is the experience drivers are all finding other careers or retiring because there’s no money left in trucking.
Driving a loaded truck down a mountainside is much different than driving a car.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.