Following public outcry, Colorado Governor Jared Polis has reduced the prison sentence of the truck driver who received 110-years for the fatal highway crash that left four dead. In an announcement Thursday, Gov. Polis lowered Rogel Aguilera-Mederos‘ sentence to 10 years.
“I am writing to inform you that I am granting your application for a commutation,” Polis wrote. “After learning about the highly atypical and unjust sentence in your case, I am commuting your sentence to 10 years and granting you parole eligibility on December 30, 2026.”
“The length of your 110-year sentence is simply not commensurate with your actions, nor with penalties handed down to others for similar crimes,” Polis said in the letter. “There is an urgency to remedy this unjust sentence and restore confidence in the uniformity and fairness of our criminal justice system, and consequently I have chosen to commute your sentence now.”
Aguilera-Mederos was sentenced on December 13 to 110 years in prison for a 2019 fatal crash on I-70. He claimed the crash occurred after his brakes malfunctioned while he was driving. However, prosecutors argued he could have used a runaway truck ramp to prevent the deadly crash. As a result, dozens were injured, and four people –Miguel Angel Lamas Arellano, 24; Doyle Harrison, 61; Stanley Politano, 69; and William Bailey, 67 — lost their lives.
He was found guilty of 27 counts, with first-degree assault being the most serious. Colorado law did not allow the judge to initially grant him a shorter sentence because of the charges he was found guilty of.
Respect!