A Colorado man who was sentenced last week to 110 years in prison for a deadly April 2019 will appear in court on Monday — as prosecutors have requested his 110-year sentence be reduced to 20 to 30 years.
First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King said in a statement on Thursday that the jury identified several decisions made by Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos, 26, that led to the 28-car pileup on Interstate 70 in Lakewood that killed Miguel Angel Lamas Arellano, 24, William Bailey, 67, Doyle Harrison, 61, and Stanley Politano, 69.
“This sentencing range reflects an appropriate outcome for that conduct, which was not an accident,” the prosecutor said.
Cuban immigrant Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos said he was “working for a better future for my family.” Sad, tragic case all the way around. pic.twitter.com/fnUOtnrXPg
— Joseph Morris (@JosephMorrisYT) December 16, 2021
Aguilera-Mederos said he “lost his brakes,” causing him to lose control of his semi-truck before passing a runaway truck ramp and descending from the mountainous region on the interstate. Despite this, he was convicted in October of vehicular homicide, first-degree assault, attempted first-degree assault, careless driving causing death, vehicular assault, and reckless driving.
During sentencing last Monday, District Court Judge Bruce Jones told Aguilera-Mederos that state sentencing guidelines meant he had to hand down the consecutive sentences — despite Aguilera-Mederos having no prior criminal history and being 23 at the time of the wreck.
Judge Jones, who expressed displeasure about the 110-year sentence, said it could be changed at a later date if Aguilera-Mederos requests a review.
First Judicial District Attorney Pete Weir filed the charges that led to Aguilera-Mederos’ 110-year sentence. King, his successor who tried the case, alleged in a statement that Aguilera-Mederos refused any plea deal that did not amount to a traffic ticket.
However, in her latest statement, King said they have been in contact with Aguilera-Mederos’ defense attorneys and the four victims’ families before Monday’s resentencing hearing.
She said, “We are grateful for the coordination with the Governor’s office and thank the Department of Corrections for expediting the required evaluation report for resentencing.”
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[Featured image: Rogel Aguilera-Mederos/KDVR video screengrab]
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