Colorado DA Requests Court Reconsider 110-Year Sentence for Rogel Aguilera-Mederos

A Colorado prosecutor is moving to reduce the controversial sentencing of Rogel Aguilera-Mederos—a 26-year-old truck driver was found guilty in a deadly vehicle crash.

As pointed out by CNN, First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King filed a motion last Friday, requesting the courts to reconsider Aguilera-Mederos’ 110-year prison sentence. King filed another motion on Tuesday, asking for the review process to be expedited. 

“The purpose for the People’s expedited request is so that the named victims in the case, as well as their families, have an opportunity to be heard by the trial court who is fully aware of the facts of the case,” the motion reads. “We have spoken to the living victims and the families of the deceased victims, and it is their specific desire to be heard on this modification, in this forum, as quickly as possible.”

Aguilera-Mederos received the controversial sentence on Dec. 13, more than two years after he crashed his big rig into stopped traffic on Interstate 70 in Lakewood, Colorado. The truck was reportedly traveling up to 85 mph before crashing into dozens of slow-moving vehicles. The fiery crash resulted in multiple injuries and four deaths.

Though the truck driver said the crash was caused by malfunctioning brakes, prosecutors argued he was at fault due to his failure to use emergency truck ramps. He was ultimately convicted of 27 counts, including vehicular homicide and vehicular assault. The presiding judge explained the 110-year sentence was the mandatory minimum under state law.

The case has since made international headlines and sparked outcry from advocates who say the heavy sentencing is unjust. Millions of people have signed a Change.org petition urging Colorado Gov. Jared Polis to commute Aguilera-Mederos’ sentencing, while celebrities like Kim Kardashian called for a change in state law. 

District Court Judge Bruce Jones set a status hearing for Monday to discuss the DA’s request.