A joyful celebration of love turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when a newlywed couple, Ruben Rodriguez and Juliana Rodriguez-Plata, were killed in a horrific accident on Interstate 70 in Colorado just days after their wedding. The accident occurred on Thursday, August 15, around 8:30 a.m., as the couple was traveling with their 1-year-old son and Juliana’s parents.
The Wheat Ridge Police Department reported that a semi-truck traveling eastbound lost control and rolled over, spilling large pipes across the highway. The debris from the semi-spread across both lanes, causing a devastating collision with the couple’s vehicle. The exact sequence of events is still under investigation, but the impact of the crash was fatal for Ruben, Juliana, and Juliana’s mother, Luz Melba Martinez.
Family members identified the victims on a GoFundMe page, with Janell Rodriguez sharing the heartbreaking news: “Today has been one of the hardest days we have ever faced. We are heartbroken to share that Ruben Rodriguez, Juliana Rodriguez Plata, and Luz Melba Martinez were tragically taken from us in an accident. Ruben and Juliana had just begun their beautiful journey together, having celebrated their wedding this past Saturday. They leave behind their precious 1-year-old son, Daniel.”
Luz Melba Martinez and Juliana’s father, Carlos, had traveled from Colombia to celebrate the couple’s wedding. Now, Carlos is left to endure the unimaginable pain of losing both his daughter and wife in a single, tragic moment. Carlos, who survived the crash, recounted the horrifying experience to Fox 31: “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. It was terrible, the accident, the image, all the blood. They were just instantly dead. Seeing my whole family, my daughter and my wife dead.”
The couple’s 1-year-old son, who had just celebrated his birthday a day after his parents’ wedding, survived the crash. Juliana’s niece and nephew, Tony and Esli Rodriguez, expressed their shock and grief to Fox 32. “It fully hasn’t hit me yet, but I just think about it, and I just want to cry because he was happy, he met her, he had a kid. I’ve never seen him this happy,” Esli Rodriguez shared.
The accident involved at least seven vehicles and left debris strewn over an area spanning more than two football fields. The semi-truck was carrying nearly 100 large blue plastic tubes, each weighing approximately 500 lbs., which contributed to the devastation on the highway.
Wheat Ridge Police stated that the investigation into the crash is complex and will take weeks to complete. “While we understand people want answers, this is an incredibly complicated investigation that will take weeks, not days, to complete,” the police said. They are working closely with the First Judicial DA’s Office of Colorado to determine potential charges. “Our hearts go out to the families that have been impacted by the tragic loss of life yesterday. They have the full support of our department and our partners at VOI (Victim Outreach Incorporated).”
The police are urging anyone who witnessed the crash to contact their Crash and Traffic Team (CATT) at (303) 235-2933 to assist in the investigation.