Driver arrested for multi-vehicle big rig crash that killed one on Colorado highway

A driver was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide and more following a fatal multi-vehicle crash that occurred near Conifer, Colorado, on Tuesday.

Ignacio Cruz-Mendoza, 47, has been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, reckless driving, and driving a commercial vehicle with no CDL.

The crash involving Cruz-Mendoza occurred around 5 p.m. on June 11 on Highway 285 near mile marker 232. Officials say that a truck driven by Cruz-Mendoza sideswiped five vehicles while attempting to pass them. The pass attempt was not successful, and the truck jackknifed, causing the truck’s load of steel pipes and angle iron to fall off onto a pickup truck.

Pickup driver Scott Miller, 64, was killed in the crash.

One other driver suffered serious injuries.

Witnesses reportedly said that the truck was traveling at speeds of 60 to 80 m.p.h. through the area, which has a 45 m.p.h. speed limit.

According to the arrest affidavit released Thursday, Cruz-Mendoza told police through a translator that his brakes went out.

Cruz-Mendoza reportedly told police that he has a commercial driver’s license out of Mexico.

Colorado State Police are investigating speed as a primary factor in the deadly crash.

Highway 285 was shut down for 14 hours for investigation and cleanup of the crash.

The crash is under investigation.