Newlyweds and bride’s mother killed in crash after semitruck overturns in Colorado

DENVER — A newlywed couple and the bride’s mother were killed in a crash after a truck overturned on Interstate 70 west of Denver, spilling its load of large plastic pipes from the truck just days after the wedding, family members said.

Ruben Rodriguez, 33; Juliana Rodriguez Plata, 37, and her mother, Luz Melba Martinez, who had traveled from Colombia for the August 10 wedding, were killed in the crash thursday morning, Ruben Rodriguez’s sister-in-law, Janell Rodriguez, said KMGH-TV.

The bride’s father, Carlos Joaquin Plata, and the couple’s 1-year-old son, Danny, were injured, Janell Rodriguez said.

Their westbound car was struck by one of the pipes, which each weigh about 500 pounds (227 kilograms), after an eastbound truck overturned, spilling nearly 100 plastic pipes onto both sides of the highway, police said. All three people taken to the hospital, including the truck driver, were later released, police said Friday.

The family was on their way to the mountains for a honeymoon when the accident happened, Janell Rodriguez said.

The family is still recovering.

“And then the baby without both parents, you know? It’s hard. It’s hard on the family. So we’re just here together now and trying to be strong together,” Janell Rodriguez said.

Police say they are working with the District Attorney’s Office on possible charges that may be filed in connection with the series of accidents caused by the overturned truck.

At least six other vehicles were involved in addition to the truck, they said. However, with a debris field stretching more than two football fields (220 meters), police warned the investigation would likely take weeks, not days.

“Our condolences go out to the families affected by the tragic loss of life yesterday,” police said in a statement on social media.