An otherwise happy time of year turned sad when a married couple died in an accident on Colorado’s Interstate 70 just days after their wedding.
Ruben Rodriguez and Juliana Rodriguez-Plata were traveling with their 1-year-old son and Juliana’s parents just before 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 15. A semi-truck going eastward crashed, spilling pipes across the highway and into their car.
There is still no clear order as to what happened in this accident, according to the Wheat Ridge Police Department. However, the semi lost its load at some point, and it spilled across the westbound lanes.
People in the couple’s family found them on a GoFundMe page and confirmed that Juliana Rodriguez-Plata’s mother died in the crash.
“Today was one of the worst days we’ve ever had.” “It breaks our hearts to say that Ruben Rodriguez, Juliana Rodriguez Plata, and Luz Melba Martinez died in a terrible accident,” Janell Rodriguez wrote in a post. “Ruben and Juliana had just started their wonderful journey together by getting married last Saturday.” They leave behind Daniel, their beloved one-year-old son.
Rodriguez’s post says that Luz Melba Martinez and Carlos, Juliana’s dad, came from Colombia to enjoy the wedding.
“Now, Carlos is faced with the unimaginable pain of losing both his daughter and wife in such a short period,” she said more.
Plata told Fox 31 that he lost his daughter, son-in-law, and wife all at once while he was in the car.
“I saw when the pipes were going so I just closed my eyes and no reaction, I just felt the impact and I woke up out of nowhere and just saw the baby crying and everyone unconscious, not waking up,” he added. “The accident, the picture, and all the blood were terrible.” They were dead right away. Seeing my wife, daughter, and all of my family die.”
Fox 32 said that the couple had a one-year-old son whose birthday they celebrated on Sunday, the day after they got married.
Tony and Esli Rodriguez, Juliana’s niece and nephew, told Fox 32 that they are still shocked.
He was happy, he met her, and he had a child. It hasn’t fully hit me yet, but every time I think about it, I want to cry. Elí Rodriguez said, “I’ve never seen him this happy.”
Police said the semi’s debris-covered both sides of I-70 for more than two football fields. Officials also said that about 100 big blue plastic tubes, each weighing about 500 pounds, were spread out on the road.
Police said that at least seven cars, including the truck, were involved in the series of accidents.
“We know people want answers, but this investigation is very complicated and will take weeks, not days, to finish.” “We are working on possible charges with our partners at the First Judicial DA’s Office of Colorado,” cops said in a social media post.
The police also said that they are just starting their investigation and are working hard to get all the information and evidence they need.
“Our hearts are with the families who have been hurt by the terrible death yesterday.” Police told them, “Our department and our partners at VOI (Victim Outreach Incorporated) are fully behind them.”
Should you have seen this crash, the police want you to get in touch with their department and call the Crash and Traffic Team (CATT) at (303) 235-2933.