August 30th 2024.
A devastating accident that occurred on June 11th has come to an end with the sentencing of truck driver Ignacio Cruz Mendoza. Mendoza, who pleaded guilty to causing a fatal crash that resulted in the death of a 64-year-old man, was given the maximum sentence of one year in jail by Judge Kristan Wheeler in Jefferson County on Friday.
Mendoza had pleaded guilty to one count of careless driving resulting in death and three counts of careless driving resulting in injury on July 31st. During the hearing, Judge Wheeler shared that she would have preferred to sentence Mendoza individually for each victim's injuries, but unfortunately, the law did not allow for that.
"I respect the people's charging decisions," Judge Wheeler said. "I also understand why the victims feel that this was a reckless disregard for human life, and I couldn't agree more."
According to police reports, Mendoza was arrested for vehicular homicide and vehicular assault after losing control of his tractor-trailer on U.S. 285 near Aspen Park. The crash resulted in the trailer rolling over, spilling heavy steel pipes onto the roadway and causing the highway to shut down overnight.
At the hearing, the prosecution shared that the steel pipes in Mendoza's truck were not properly secured, and he did not have a valid license to operate the vehicle. They also stated that the truck did not meet safety standards and that witnesses reported that Mendoza did not honk or warn others when he was in trouble behind the wheel.
The crash took the life of 64-year-old Scott Miller and left other drivers injured. One of the injured drivers, Nancy Flynn, spoke at the hearing, along with Miller's family and friends, urging Judge Wheeler to give Mendoza the maximum sentence for his actions.
Flynn expressed her fear that Mendoza would return to the roads after serving his sentence as if nothing had happened. "My greatest fear is that after serving his sentence, he will return to our roads as if nothing has happened and this incident never occurred," she said.
Several of Miller's loved ones also shared their frustration and anger with the maximum one-year sentence, feeling that it was not enough punishment for the crime. The prosecution explained that the misdemeanor charges leading to the one-year sentence were a result of having to file charges before all the facts of the case were known.
During the emotional hearing, Miller's daughter, Michelle Miller-Tusa, shared memories of her father and expressed her sadness at his loss. "He leaves behind so many loved ones," she said. "His reach was far and deep, the kind that only a truly lovely person can have on this world."
It was also revealed that Mendoza had an active file in the Commercial Driver's License Information System but did not have a valid U.S. or commercial driver's license at the time of the crash. Officials shared that Mendoza also did not have a valid driver's license in Mexico, where he is from. He is a Mexican citizen who has been in the United States illegally and has been removed from or left the country voluntarily 16 times since 2002, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.
The prosecution also shared that Mendoza had a previous DUI conviction in 2018. At the time of the crash, Mendoza was driving for Monique Trucking, an interstate shipping company based in Indio, California. The company is a general freight company, according to business safety records.
Judge Wheeler expressed her disappointment in the trucking company for allowing Mendoza to drive without proper training and licensing. "The trucking company should not have allowed Mendoza to drive without appropriate training and licensing," she said.
Deann Miller, Scott Miller's wife of 46 years, also spoke at the hearing, sharing her anger at the length of Mendoza's sentence. "We, his family, feel that justice for our husband, father, and grandfather has not been served," she said. "We are mad as hell, beyond sad, and tired of being told that a misdemeanor is the best we can do."
Mrs. Miller also shared that her husband was her best friend and that his death had also killed a part of her. "On the day Cruz Mendoza killed my husband, he also killed me," she said.
Mendoza also addressed the court during the hearing with the help of a translator. "I want to express my deepest condolences," he said. "I am terribly sorry for this horrible accident, and I hope that God will be next to you as you go through this terrible moment."
As the case came to a close, the community was reminded of the importance of safe driving and the devastating consequences that can result from careless actions on the road. Let us all remember to prioritize safety and responsibility when behind the wheel.
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