The joyous season took a tragic turn when a newlywed couple was killed just days after their wedding in a fatal accident on Interstate 70 in Colorado.
Just before 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15, Ruben Rodriguez and Juliana Rodriguez Plata were traveling with their 1-year-old son and Juliana’s parents when a large tractor-trailer traveling eastbound overturned, spilling pipes onto the highway and crashing into their vehicle.
The Wheat Ridge Police Department said it is still unclear what happened, but that during the crash, a load fell off the large trailer and spread into the westbound lanes.
Family members identified the couple on a GoFundMe page and also confirmed that Juliana Rodriguez Plata’s mother died in the accident.
Family of South Carolina bride murdered on wedding night receives $1.3 million settlement
Ruben Rodriguez and Juliana Rodriguez Plata, and Juliana’s mother, died in a car accident just days after their wedding. (GoFundMe)
“Today has been one of the hardest days yet for us. We are heartbroken to share that Ruben Rodriguez, Juliana Rodriguez Plata and Luz Melba Martinez have passed away in a tragic accident,” Janelle Rodriguez wrote in the post. “Ruben and Juliana were married last Saturday and had just begun their beautiful journey together. They leave behind their precious 1-year-old son, Daniel.”
Rodriguez’s post said Luz Melba Martinez and Juliana’s father, Carlos, were visiting from Colombia to celebrate the wedding.
“Now Carlos faces the unimaginable pain of losing both his daughter and his wife in such a short space of time,” she continued.
Plata told Fox 31 he was in his car and instantly lost his daughter, son-in-law and wife.
Newlyweds die in honeymoon accident in Caribbean just days after wedding
Wheat Ridge Police are investigating a fatal crash that claimed the lives of a newlywed couple and the bride’s mother. (Wheat Ridge Police Department)
“I saw the pipe break, I closed my eyes and didn’t react. I just felt a jolt and suddenly I woke up. I saw the baby crying and everyone unconscious and not waking up,” he said. “It was a terrible accident. The scene, the bloody scene. Everyone died in an instant. I saw the whole family, my daughter and my wife dead.”
The couple have a 1-year-old son together and celebrated his birthday on Sunday, the day after their wedding, Fox 32 reported.
Juliana’s niece and nephew, Tony and Esli Rodriguez, told Fox 32 they are still in shock.
“It still hasn’t fully sunk in but just thinking about it makes me want to cry. He was happy, he met her, he had a baby. I’ve never seen him so happy,” Esli Rodriguez said.
Wisconsin bar shooting ‘suspect’ ‘categorically’ denies killing newlyweds: lawyer
Ruben Rodriguez and Juliana Rodriguez Plata were tragically killed in a highway accident in Colorado just days after their wedding. (FOX32)
Police said debris that flew from the tractor-trailer stretched across both lanes of Interstate 70 and covered an area the size of more than two football fields. Authorities added that nearly 100 large blue plastic tubes, weighing about 500 pounds, were also scattered onto the roadway.
Police said at least seven vehicles were involved in the series of collisions, including a large trailer truck.
“We understand people want answers, but this is a highly complex investigation that will take weeks, not days, to complete. We are working with our partners at the Colorado First Judicial District Attorney’s Office on potential charges,” police said in a statement on social media.
Police added that the investigation is still in its early stages and they are working diligently to gather all the facts and evidence surrounding the case.
Click here to get the FOX News app
“Our heartfelt condolences go to the family affected by yesterday’s tragic death. Authorities and our partners at VOI (victim support organisation) are providing their full support,” police said.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the accident to contact the police department and to contact the Accident and Traffic Unit (CATT) by calling (303) 235-2933.
