Newlyweds on way to honeymoon are killed when pipes fly off semi in Colorado, family says
A newlywed couple was heading into the mountains for their honeymoon with their family when they were killed in a crash after authorities said pipes flew off a crashed semitruck on a Colorado highway, multiple reports say.
The mother of the bride also died in the crash, news outlets reported. The bride’s father and the couple’s 1-year-old son were in the car and were injured but survived the crash.
The bride’s parents were in town from Colombia for their daughter’s wedding, KMGH reported.
Family members identified the victims as Ruben Rodriguez, Juliana Rodriguez Plata, and Juliana’s mother, Luz Melba Martinez, the station reported.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office and a family member also confirmed their identities to CBS News Colorado.
The semitruck overturned on a highway just outside Denver and sent large plastic piping flying across oncoming traffic on Interstate 70 shortly after 8 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15, McClatchy News previously reported.
In an Aug. 16 update on Facebook, Wheat Ridge Police provided more information about the nature of the crash. At least seven vehicles, including the semi, were involved in the series of crashes, the department said.
“The debris field from the semi-truck’s tipped load spanned more than two football fields across both lanes of I-70,” the department said. “There were nearly 100 large blue plastic tubes that weighed roughly 500 lbs each.”
An aerial photo shows the overturned semitruck and the bright blue tubes scattered across both eastbound and westbound lanes and two white pickup trucks stopped on the westbound side. One left tire marks on the road, indicating its driver likely swerved trying to avoid colliding with the cargo.
“Our hearts go out to the families that have been impacted by the tragic loss of life yesterday,” the department said. “They have the full support of our department and our partners at (Victim Outreach Incorporated).”
The couple’s family told both news stations they had tied the knot on Saturday, Aug. 10.
And they had just celebrated their son’s first birthday a few days before, CBS News Colorado reported.
“They were setting goals early for their kid, possibly have more children together and just had a normal life and just getting to begin their love story,” Ruben’s sister-in-law Janell Rodriguez told KMGH. “...And then the baby without both of his parents, you know? It’s hard. It’s hard for the family. So we’re just gathered here right now just trying to be strong together.”
Rodriguez set up an online fundraiser for the family’s funeral expenses and to support their son.
“Ruben and Juliana had just begun their beautiful journey together, having celebrated their wedding this past Saturday. They leave behind their precious 1-year-old son, Daniel,” the fundraiser says. “Luz Melba Martinez and Juliana’s father, Carlos, were here from Colombia to celebrate the wedding. Now, Carlos is faced with the unimaginable pain of losing both his daughter and wife in such a short span of time.”
This story was originally published August 18, 2024 at 6:55 AM with the headline "Newlyweds on way to honeymoon are killed when pipes fly off semi in Colorado, family says."
