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Rogel Aguilera-Mederos Gets Emotional During His Testimony In Trial For Deadly 2019 I-70 Crash

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The truck driver accused of causing a fatal crash on Interstate 70 near Colorado Mills Mall in Lakewood once again took the stand in his own defense on Thursday. Rogel Aguilera-Mederos faces 41 charges including vehicular homicide for the crash that killed four people in 2019.

Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos (2nd mug, Lakewood PD) copy
Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos (credit: Lakewood Police)

Aguilera-Mederos testified that he struggled to get his semi into gear when he lost his brakes as he headed down the foothills and crashed into traffic.

When asked on the stand, "Did you try to get it into any gear?" Aguilera-Mederos responded with tears and said, "I apologize."

lakewood semi crash i-70
(credit: CBS)

Aguilera-Mederos has pleaded not guilty to a total of 41 charges. The defense has painted a picture of Aguilera-Mederos, things happening so quickly he didn't know what to do, and that he was a victim of a mechanical brake failure.

Rogel Aguilera-Mederos
(credit: CBS)

"Well, I had no brakes going downhill... I was afraid I was going to hit someone, I was afraid I was going to hurt someone because I was unable to stop the truck."

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