The widow of a motorist killed by a “rogue” trucker who was in the U.S. unlawfully has vowed to fight for legislative changes after the man responsible was sentenced to less than a year in prison.
Scott Miller, 64, died after a truck driven by Ignacio Cruz-Mendoza collided with his vehicle on Highway 285 near Bailey, Colorado, leaving three others injured.
On Friday, Ignacio Cruz-Mendoza was sentenced to 364 days in prison by Judge Kristan Wheeler at the Jefferson County Courthouse, and he will receive 81 days off his sentence for time already served.
Cruz-Mendoza, a Mexican national, was in the country illegally at the time of the accident and did not hold a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL).
On Friday, Ignacio Cruz-Mendoza was sentenced to 364 days behind bars by Judge Kristan Wheeler at the Jefferson County Courthouse for the crash in June.
Colorado State Patrol; KDVR
The victim’s widow, Deann Miller, vowed to advocate for changes to the law that would permit longer sentences. Miller also hopes to add a mountain endorsement on all CDLs and to increase inspection of commercial trucks and their cargo.
After Cruz-Mendoza pleaded guilty to four counts of careless driving, Judge Wheeler said he must serve his sentences concurrently rather than consecutively, leading to a shorter prison term.
According to prosecutors, Cruz-Mendoza had been deported from the country multiple times. He also failed to maintain a driver’s log or undergo required drug and alcohol testing as mandated by federal law.
The leniency of the sentence shocked the victims’ families.
“I’m really happy that she (Wheeler) did what needed to be done,” Deann Miller told reporters outside of the courthouse.
“Unfortunately, he (Cruz-Mendoza) deserves more than a year, and we need to make some legislation changes because that law, excuse me, sucks.”
“I’m mad that I’m not going to get justice for my husband, mad because the least the most this man can get is a year for murdering my husband because the DA refused to charge him with more charge,” she added.
Both the victim and Cruz-Mendoza worked as commercial truck drivers.
Cruz-Mendoza appeared in court and wiped away tears throughout the victim’s statements, according to the Denver Gazette. Speaking through a Spanish interpreter, he apologized to the families affected by the deadly crash.
Cruz-Mendoza and his now-defunct employer, Monique Trucking, LLC, have multiple legal issues.
After the deadly accident on June 11, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued an Imminent Hazard Order to Monique Trucking, citing its lack of safety compliance and ordering it to cease “all commercial motor vehicle operations.”
The order specifically mentioned Cruz-Mendoza.
Cruz-Mendoza was driving a company truck southbound on U.S. 285 when he attempted to pass three other vehicles.
He collided with them, lost control of his truck and trailer, and dislodged a load of 40-foot steel pipe segments.
His truck then spiraled into the northbound lanes, before colliding with another vehicle.
The victim’s vehicle was crushed by the pipes, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Imminent Hazard Order also revealed that Cruz-Mendoza’s CDL had been downgraded to noncommercial status on February 10, 2024, due to an expired medical certificate.
Cruz-Mendoza was hired by Monique Trucking on April 10, 2024, approximately 90 days before the accident.
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