Honeymoon-bound newlyweds and the bride’s mother were killed Thursday when a semi-truck overturned in Colorado, sending its cargo of large plastic tubes across the highway.
The tragedy unfolded shortly before 8:30 a.m. as Ruben Rodriguez and Juliana Rodriguez-Plata drove along Interstate 70 near Denver with their 1-year-old son and Juliana’s parents, according to Wheat Ridge police.
The semi flipped over, spilling 100 plastic tubes — each weighing 500 pounds — into ongoing traffic on both the eastbound and westbound lanes.
At least six cars were struck by the debris, including the one carrying the just-married couple and their family, grieving loved ones told Denver 7.
Ruben, Juliana and Juliana’s mother, Luz Melba Martinez, were killed in the accident.
The bride’s father, Carlos Joaquin Plata, and the couple’s 1-year-old son Danny were taken to the hospital with injuries.
The driver of the semi-truck was also hospitalized.
According to their loved ones, the family was on their way to the mountains for a honeymoon vacation when the catastrophe occurred.
Ruben and Juliana had been married just four days earlier, a milestone celebration Juliana’s parents had traveled from Colombia to witness.
“And then the baby without both of his parents, you know? It’s hard. It’s hard for the family. So we’re just gathered here right now just trying to be strong together,” Janell Rodriguez, Ruben’s sister-in-law, told the outlet.
Police are still investigating how the fatal accident unfolded and are working with prosecutors to determine whether criminal charges can be brought forward.
The probe could take weeks, police warned, as the debris field spanned more than two football fields across the highway.
“Our hearts go out to the families that have been impacted by the tragic loss of life yesterday,” police said in a statement.
