Horrible crash in Lakewood CO, I70 closed both directions. 12 vehicles 4 semi huge fire

As much of a PITA as it is, this is, for example, why CA is so strict on speed on the Grapevine.

 

The thing is, without going down that/those hill(s) without a coach the first time, you're going to get into trouble. Not everyone needs to be 'told' how to go downhill.... and not everyone will listen when they *are* taught (just look at FedEx). My first time coming east into Denver (in a snowstorm), I smoked my brakes. If you're not in the right gear, speed builds too quickly to recover from it. He probably thought he could save the truck (big mistake) when he was passing the escape ramp and thereby save himself the tow bill and repairs to the truck. He's most likely sitting on his plastic mattress right now wishing he had damaged the truck instead.

 

Regarding what others have said, which I agree with in terms of not gearing down etc. This second video is going to be the one that hangs that fella. He was out of control for quite some time it seems, and went right on by a runaway ramp. The drivers in the 4-wheeler even stated he "should have taken the ramp." Apparently he has a green card, but how is his reading comprehension in English? I'm all for anyone making a living, but why in the hell he didn't take that runaway ramp is the real question. No smoke from the brakes as others have mentioned also makes me wonder......At some point, he had to have known he was headed up #### creek, when he got out of control and almost took out other vehicles several miles before the accident happened, and it appears he was out of control before he even got to the runaway ramp. Why he didn't take it baffles me. There was no traffic to his right, he had the clearance to do so, and just didn't. Then, to ultimately veer back INTO STOPPED traffic, instead of taking the ditch etc, is also strange. All kinds of bad decisions were made. How long has he had his CDL? Was he SOBER? What do his logs look like? All kinds of questions.

 

I wonder why his load came off and all the straps that hold each bundle together? Taking a runaway ramp is not a pretty sight. You're going to do a lot of damage and possibly flip. I'm guessing he was maxed out at 80k with a load of lumber.

I'm not in trucking anymore but I'm sure you're all going to take it up the ### from now on driving near Denver and CO in general.

 

Going 15 miles an hour over the speed limit is careless and reckless driving

 

I'm 22 and doing this job. Pretty sure I won't end up like this guy. I don't get the fixation on his nationality either...

 

I don’t if it was Colorado or Idaho or one of those states that FINES drivers that use the runaway ramps. Maybe that’s why he didn’t use them.

 

Fine or prison.

Pretty easy choice.

 

I was thinking the same thing.

He's a CUBAN on a GREEN CARD...

Okay? Aside from him helping keep driver pay depressed by not knowing better, I support his right to better his life.