(WATCH) Truck Drivers Boycott Colorado After Driver Sentenced To 110 Years In Prison (VIDEO)
Truck drivers are refusing to travel through Colorado out of protest over the 110-year prison sentence of a truck driver who accidentally killed four people in a freak accident.
The truck driver, Rogel Aguilera Mederos was traveling downhill on Interstate 70 when his brake functions allegedly failed, causing him to crash into traffic, resulting in four deaths and injuring several others.
Aguilera-Mederos was charged with 27 counts, four counts of vehicular homicide, six counts of first-degree assault, 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.
The 26-year-old was found guilty in October and sentenced last week. Judge A. Bruce Jones claimed his sentence was so high due to minimum sentencing laws in the state. Aguilera-Mederos, a Cuban immigrant, had no previous criminal record and was not found to be under the influence of anything illegal at the time of the incident.
His massive sentence sparked controversy nationwide. A Change.org petition advocating for clemency or commutation as time served has received over 4.5 million signatures. The petition’s description said, “there are many things Rogel could have done to avoid the courts, but he took responsibility showed up, and severely apologized to the victims families. Some of the families even offered Forgiveness.”
It added, “Rogel has said several times that he wishes he had the courage to crash and take his own life that day, this tragic accident wasn’t done with Intent, it wasnt a criminal act, it was an accident.”
The petition highlighted that the trucking company involved has had “several inspections since 2017, with several mechanical violations.”
A viral Tiktoker posted a video where he said, “this truck is no longer going to Colorado. We want justice for Rogel Aguilera. Truckers he needs our help.”
@ntgi2020 #freerogelaguilera #rogelaguilera #fyp#chicagotrucking #fy #viral #truckertiktok #trucker #trucking #justiceforrogelaguilera #paratii
Another tiktoker posted a video in which the caption reads, “no longer going to Colorado. I’ve told all my drivers not to take any loads or fuel up there. They’ll be paid extra to go around if they have to. Justice for Rogel Aguilera!”
@zyereri This cannot be a standard. He didn’t deserve 110. #truckersoftiktok #truckersmatter #justiceforrogelaguilera #nocoloradocheck #nocolorado #truckers
Colorado Governor Jared Polis said Thursday, “we review all clemency applications, we’ve yet to receive one from the individual but every clemency application that we receive, we review and make a determination.”
Stay tuned to The Scoop for any updates.
