Driver in fatal I-70 crash thought he had a license, interpreter explains

A truck driver charged in a fatal crash on Interstate 70 last week says that he thought he was properly licensed at the time of the wreck. 

26-year-old Walter Montejo was arraigned on Thursday, August 8th for the August 5th wreck and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter, one count of second degree assault, and driving with a suspended license. 

According to KWOS, during the virtual arraignment from the Boone County Courthouse in Missouri, Montejo told the judge through his interpreter that he did not understand the ‘driving while revoked’ charges, and that he thought he had a license. Montejo also pointed out that he had been working to get a social security number. 

Montejo was allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed before crashing head on into a Uhaul with two women inside. 54-year-old Cindy Helms and 84-year-old Melvina Colin both died of injuries sustained in the accident. 

Montejo is scheduled for a bond hearing on Monday afternoon, August 12th.