Truck Driver Convicted of Vehicular Homicide in Denver Crash: Sentencing Set for June

A Denver truck driver has been found guilty of five counts of vehicular homicide for causing a fatal collision with a sport utility vehicle carrying a Wyoming family in June 2022 The crash occurred on Interstate 25 north of Denver resulting in the tragic death of all five occupants of the SUV

Conviction and Other Counts

A Weld County jury rendered the guilty verdict against Jesus Puebla also convicting him of five additional counts including reckless driving and operating without a valid commercial drivers license The incident which saw Pueblas semi tractortrailer colliding with the SUV and other vehicles resulted in injuries to another individual

Details of the Crash

According to investigators Pueblas truck was traveling at 76 mph when it struck the SUV which had slowed to approximately 6 mph due to traffic congestion Despite the severity of the collision Puebla emerged unscathed as documented in court records The aftermath of the collision also involved other vehicles being impacted

Defense Argument and Prosecutions Assertions

Pueblas defense attorney contended that the trucks owning company bore responsibility for the tragedy Puebla himself asserted that the brakes were nonfunctional and he attempted to downshift in an effort to decelerate the vehicle The Colorado State Patrols determination that the brakes were indeed inoperable supported Pueblas claim

In contrast the prosecution maintained that Puebla had exhibited reckless driving behavior leading up to the accident failing to recognize the slowed traffic Furthermore they highlighted his possession of an expired license emphasizing that a pretrip inspection should have identified the unsafe condition of the truck

Victims of the Tragic Incident

The fatal crash resulted in the untimely deaths of Aaron Godines and Halie Everts of Gillette Wyoming along with their 3monthold daughter Tessleigh Godines Tragically Aaron Godines parents Emiliano and Christina Godines also lost their lives in the devastating collision