After a judge in Colorado sentenced a truck driver to more than 100 years in prison for his role in a piling accident that caused 4 deaths in 2019, the trucking community expressed its opinion.

On Monday, December 13, 25-year-old Texas resident Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos was sentenced to 110 years in prison in a Colorado court.

District Judge Bruce Jones told Aguilera-Medros, “If I had discretion, it would not be my sentence”, but he also said that due to Colorado’s mandatory minimum sentencing standards, he Feel the need to be sentenced to severe imprisonment.

"I accept and respect the defendant's remarks that he had no intention of harming others, but he made a series of terrible decisions, reckless decisions," Judge Jones said.

The trucking community has reacted differently to the verdict. Many people say that the judge did the right thing, and Aguilera Mederos should pay the price for his negligence. Others pointed out that the young driver lacked experience and had no intention of harming others. Others say that working as a professional CDL driver requires higher responsibilities.

Check out some of the reactions from CDLLife readers below.

"Wow! The driver is 25 years old and crying loudly! I am not asking for complete forgiveness. However, grace has come along! Sadly, people's reaction in today's society! It's always super kill!!" Laura L. Valdez said.

"That's why companies need to hire their people more strictly!!! I have seen many companies just let anyone sit in that driver's seat!!! Many people think it is easy to be a driver. They don't know how much responsibility a driver has. "Michelle Miller said.

"Okay!! He definitely deserves it. We don't need these types of drivers," Tammy C Pingleton said.

"He shouldn't be the only one to share the responsibility, and his carrier shouldn't send him there without proper training," Cary Goodman said.

"There is conflict here. 100 years. This is life. Yes, I know, he took his life. This man is obviously upset. I don't believe he did it on purpose. But as a professional... . I remember the first time I walked through the 70 Mountain Corridor. Fortunately, I came from Colorado and knew this road. One word: No one really trained me for this. I take my time. I still do it because of the other "Professionals" flew by. So remember this verdict. 100 years, for his job, is bad at best. Next time you ignore the speed limit sign, keep this in mind," said Jim Pato.

"That sentence has no sense of justice. This is a terrible accident caused by ignorance," Todd Foz said.

"So sad. The poor child doesn't know what he is doing! Sad and sad. The company should be held accountable! It is not a child with no driving experience. These trucks should not be driven on the same road as the car! The maximum speed should be 45 max. Love this young man!" Jason Gaomeng said.

Earlier this year, Aguilera Mederos was convicted on 27 counts, including four vehicular homicide, six first-degree assault, ten first-degree attempted assault-extreme indifference, two vehicles Assault-Reckless, one count of reckless driving and four counts of negligent driving causing death. He was convicted of 15 counts of attempted assault in the first degree.

These allegations are due to a fatal chain reaction crash on Interstate I-70 near Lakewood, Colorado, on April 25, 2019. According to reports, Aguilera-Mederos is hauling a pile of wood, and he is reported to have reached a speed of 85 mph in an area where the truck has a speed limit of 45 mph and lost control of the brakes before hitting slow traffic. The accident involved 24 passenger cars and 4 semi-trucks.

A video taken before the crash showed that Aguilera-Mederos bypassed a runaway ramp and then hit slow traffic, killing four people and injuring many others.