Truck driver arrested after fatal accident on US 285 near Conifer

DENVER (KDVR) — The tractor-trailer driver who struck five vehicles on U.S. 285 near Conifer on Tuesday, killing one person and injuring another, has been arrested on charges of vehicular manslaughter and negligent assault.

The Colorado State Patrol said the driver, Ignacio Cruz-Mendoza, 47, was arrested Tuesday evening.

The agency detailed the crash on Wednesday, saying the driver of the tractor-trailer was traveling southbound around 5 p.m. Tuesday and struck five vehicles he was attempting to pass. He was unable to successfully pass and the tractor-trailer overturned on the highway, spilling its load of pipe and angle iron.

The crash left one person dead, identified by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office as Scott Miller, 64. The husband of a woman injured in the crash spoke to FOX31 on Wednesday and said she had broken ribs, staples in her head and severe bruising.

The road was closed for over 14 hours while emergency crews cleared the spilled cargo, investigated the accident and ensured the safety of the road.

According to court records, Cruz-Mendoza is scheduled to appear in court on June 18 to face new charges.

There have been numerous traffic accidents at various points along US 285. Bill Bruner, who lives in the area and chairs a group that promotes road safety, spoke with FOX31’s Vicente Arenas on Wednesday.

“The main cause of most accidents over the past five years has been inattentiveness at the wheel, excessive speed or a combination of both,” Bruner said.

Bruner said improvements have been made over the years to the roadway where the accident occurred, including installing cable barriers at the curbs. The truck crossed the road just before the start of those barriers.