4 dead in fiery pileup on I-70 near Denver
LAKEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - Colorado officials say four people have died after a semi-truck hauling lumber plowed into vehicles on Interstate 70, causing a fire so intense that it melted the roadway and metal off of cars.
Authorities had to wait until daylight Friday to confirm the death toll from Thursday's 28-vehicle pileup because of the devastation caused by the fire.
Six people were taken to hospitals with injuries. Their conditions are unclear.
Lakewood police spokesman Ty Countryman says the driver of the truck who caused the crash, identified as 23-year-old Rogel Lazaro Aguilera-Mederos, sustained minor injuries. He has been arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide.
Officials say the driver was headed down a hill when he slammed into slower traffic. Countryman says there is no indication the crash was intentional.