A newlywed couple heading to their honeymoon have died following a horrific traffic incident along with the bride's mother.
The heartbreaking tragedy unfolded on Thursday (August 15) around 8:30AM when Ruben Rodriguez and Juliana Rodriguez-Plata drove along Interstate 70 in Wheat Ridge outside Denver with their one-year-old son and Juliana’s parents, according to Wheat Ridge police.
A semi-truck, with large pipes that weigh approximately 500lb each, overturned and its load ended up spilling across both sides of the eastbound and westbound lanes, causing at least three vehicles to collide, Denver 7 reported.
"The car was struck and crashed, resulting in three fatalities. Two other people in that car were transported to a local hospital. The truck driver was also taken to a local hospital," the department in a statement.
The deceased individuals have been identified as the newlywed couple, who had just gotten married on Saturday (August 10), and the bride's mother, Luz Melba Martinez, who was visiting town from Colombia.
The bride’s father, Carlos Joaquin Plata, and the couple’s one-year-old son Danny were also in the car and suffered injuries.
Plata opened up about the heartbreaking incident to KDVR, sharing: “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," he added.
The couple and parents were on their way to the mountains for a honeymoon vacation when the tragedy happened, Janell Rodriguez Ruben’s sister-in-law, told Denver 7.
The grieving family is trying to comprehend how the semi-truck flipped and why Rodriguez's lives were taken away too soon. “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,” she added.
The couple's family has launched a GoFundMe to raise funds for their funerals, as well as for the orphaned baby and other expenses.
"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," the description reads.
"Luz Melba Martinez and Juliana’s father, Carlos, were here from Colombia to celebrate the wedding. Now, Carlos is faced with the unimaginable pain of losing both his daughter and wife in such a short span of time," they added.
As of this writing, $33,942 has been raised of the intended $95,000 goal.
The Wheat Ridge Police Department revealed that at least seven vehicles, including the semi-truck, were involved in this series of crashes.
They announced on Facebook that they were working with prosecutors on possible charges being filed in connection with the series of collisions triggered by the truck overturning.
With a debris field traversing the length of more than two football fields, police warned the investigation would likely take weeks, rather than days.
“Our hearts go out to the families that have been impacted by the tragic loss of life yesterday,” cops said in a statement.
Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.
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