I-70 will be closed in both directions near Denver West as clean-up and investigation of a deadly accident continues. Witnesses and a YouTube video show a flat bed semi carrying lumber going at a high rate of speed and crashing into cars that were at a stop behind an earlier accident. Four people were killed and six others were taken to hospitals with injuries. The driver of the semi has been identified as 23-year-old Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos of Texas. He is being held on four counts of vehicular homicide. Police say he has been cooperating with investigators.
The accident happened during drive time on Thursday afternoon. The impact ignited a fire that may have damaged the roadway and an overhead bridge. CDOT says the highway is closed in the accident area and may not reopen until sometime on Saturday.
There's speculation that the driver lost control of his semi as he came down I-70 from the foothills. He may have missed opportunities to use runaway truck ramps. Police say the investigation is looking at several things, including possible mechanical issues.