Newlywed couple, including the bride’s mother, was killed when 500-pound tubes fell off semi-truck

A devastating accident on Interstate 70 near Denver claimed the lives of newlyweds Ruben Rodriguez and Juliana Rodriguez-Plata, along with Juliana’s mother, Luz Melba Martinez, on Thursday.

The couple, who had been married just four days earlier, were traveling with their 1-year-old son Danny and Juliana’s parents when a semi-truck overturned, spilling its cargo of large plastic tubes across the highway.

The incident occurred shortly before 8:30 a.m., when the semi-truck flipped over, causing approximately 100 plastic tubes, each weighing 500 pounds, to scatter across both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the highway. At least six vehicles were struck by the debris, including the car carrying the honeymoon-bound couple and their family.

Ruben, Juliana and Juliana’s mother were tragically killed in the accident. Juliana’s father, Carlos Joaquin Plata and the couple’s young son, Danny, were rushed to the hospital with injuries. The driver of the semi-truck was also hospitalized following the incident.

The family had been en route to the mountains for a honeymoon trip, a celebration of their recent marriage that Juliana’s parents had traveled from Colombia to witness.

The sudden and tragic loss has left their loved ones in shock and mourning. “And then the baby without both of his parents, you know? It’s hard. It’s hard for the family. So we’re just gathered here right now just trying to be strong together,” said Janell Rodriguez, Ruben’s sister-in-law.

The accident has prompted an ongoing investigation by police, who are working with prosecutors to determine whether criminal charges can be brought against those involved.

The investigation is expected to take weeks, as the debris from the accident spanned more than two football fields across the highway.

In a statement, Wheat Ridge police expressed their condolences, “Our hearts go out to the families that have been impacted by the tragic loss of life yesterday.”

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The incident has left a grieving family and community with an unimaginable loss, as they come to terms with the tragic end to what should have been a joyful and celebratory time for the newlyweds and their loved ones.