Jury finds trucker guilty in 2022 crash that killed Wyoming family of 5
DENVER (KDVR) — A jury on Wednesday found a semitruck driver, who slammed into an SUV carrying a Wyoming family on Interstate 25, guilty of five counts of vehicular homicide.
Jesus Puebla, 27, was accused of killing the family of five on June 13, 2022, on I-25 in Weld County.
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Puebla also was found guilty on the counts of vehicular assault, careless driving, reckless driving, commercial vehicle safety violation and driving without a commercial license. He pleaded not guilty to all charges on June 20, 2023 — a little more than a year after the deadly crash.
The victims were identified as Emiliano and Christina Godines, ages 51 and 47, along with their 3-month-old grandchild, Tessleigh, and her 20-year-old parents, Aaron Godines and Halie Everts. The family had reportedly celebrated a birthday in Denver and were on their way back to Wyoming.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment since I got the call that they were gone,” said Desiree Everts, Halie’s mother.
Colorado State Patrol confirmed in 2022 that the truck driver did not have a valid commercial driver’s license at the time of the crash, meaning the driver was illegally operating the vehicle. Witnesses also told FOX31 that the trucker was driving “aggressively” before the crash.
Police records also point to the truck going 76 mph before crashing into the family’s SUV, which was found to be going about 10 mph. The truck also had several brake violations, according to police.
The jury trial to determine Puebla’s guilt or innocence started Monday, March 18. FOX31 spoke to the family’s great-uncle, Thomas Bueno, about the trial before it began.
“It’s so raw, you’re just so angry. But now it’s all about accountability,” Bueno said. “Maybe it will bring about change, that a vehicle or truck gets checked and there is something wrong with the brakes or something’s not allowed to be on the road.”
Police told FOX31 in 2022 that there was no evidence Puebla tried to steer away from the crash.
Sentencing is set for June 21.
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