The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office could file more charges after Colorado State Patrol finishes its investigation.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. — The district attorney’s office in Jefferson County on Tuesday formally filed four misdemeanor charges against the semi-truck driver in the deadly crash on Highway 285.
The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) said Ignacio Cruz-Mendoza, 47, lost control of his truck June 11 on Highway 285 near Conifer. Cruz-Mendoza’s semi went off the edge of the road, rolled onto its side and dumped its load of pipe and angle iron on top of five other vehicles. Troopers said speed is being considered the primary factor in the crash.
> The video above aired June 13 when Cruz-Mendoza was arrested.
Three people were hurt. One of those people suffered serious injuries. The crash killed 64-year-old Scott Miller.
On Tuesday, Cruz-Mendoza was charged with:
- One count of careless driving resulting in death
- Three counts of careless driving resulting in injury
The district attorney’s office said it is not pursuing more serious charges based on the evidence they have at this time. Prosecutors could file more charges after CSP finishes its investigation.
RELATED: Semi driver arrested after fatal Highway 285 crash
Miller’s wife and daughter spoke to a judge on Tuesday to ask him not to reduce Cruz-Mendoza’s bond. The judge ordered the bond to stay at $50,000 cash or surety.
“My husband and I have been together for 46 years,” said Deann Miller. “He may have lost his life that day, but I feel like I lost mine as well.”
Deann Miller and Michelle Tusa, Scott Miller’s daughter, felt compelled to speak to reporters outside the courtroom after learning the trucking company, Monique Trucking, had a history of violations. One of the violations includes “insufficient tie downs” in August 2023. In October and November of 2022, drivers were found to be missing proper operator licenses. Investigators arrested Cruz-Mendoza for operating a big rig without a commercial driver’s license.
RELATED: California trucking company tied to fatal Highway 285 semi crash has history of violations
“There’s just a lot of things falling through the cracks to make sure our drivers that are on the roads are safe,” Tusa said. “They are supposed to be licensed professionals, and they need to take that to heart.”
“We need to make changes to these laws, we need to make sure we get these rogue drivers off the road,” Deann Miller said.
Miller was also a truck driver, and he always stressed the importance of driving safely in the mountains, according to his family.
“It was of his utmost concern, the safety of the truck drivers that drive really heavy big rigs up in the mountains,” Tusa said.
“My husband would be alive today if there was more accountability on the truckers on the road, and there isn’t,” Deann Miller said.
Miller’s family said he was driving home from the grocery store when the crash happened. He was six miles away from home. Miller was a proud husband, father and grandfather. His wife and daughter are fighting for change so everyone else can stay safe in the mountains.
“If his death is going to mean anything, it is going to mean people are more aware and that truckers as a profession are more careful,” Tusa said.
The Miller family expressed gratitude to their community for their outpouring of support during this difficult time.
RELATED: Semi driver arrested in fatal Highway 285 crash had been removed from US multiple times, ICE says
Law enforcement is familiar with Cruz-Mendoza. Federal officials said Cruz-Mendoza had been removed or left the U.S. voluntarily 16 times over the past 22 years. It began in 2002 when Cruz Mendoza was arrested in Oregon on a low level drug trafficking charge. The punishment was 10 days in jail and 18 months probation.
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