Richard Widmier Semi Driver driving too fast in blizzard condition caused fatal crash

[Sister Iroz]

DENVER -- A tractor-trailer driver was arrested after his rig slammed into the rear of a slow-moving vehicle, causing a chain reaction that killed two people near Limon, authorities said Saturday.

Richard E. Widmier, 62, of Burleson, Tex., was driving his 2003 Kenwood truck east on Interstate 70 during a blizzard at 55 mph, said Trooper Gilbert Mares of the Colorado State Patrol.

Widmier hit a Jeep driving through the snow at 15 mph at about 5:40 p.m., Mares said.

The Jeep spun sideways and collided with the rear of a maroon 1998 Ford F-150 pickup driven by a 28-year-old man from Greeley.

The Jeep caught fire, coming to a rest on the right side of the road. The tractor-trailer then hit the rear of the F-150, causing it to slide into the back of a tan 1996 Chevrolet Suburban.

Ginger M. Gillespie, 48, and Lois A. Kelton, 77, both from Grand Junction, were inside the Jeep and died at the scene, Mares said.

The driver of the F-150 was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the Suburban was not injured.

Widmier was arrested after the accident and faces charges of criminally negligent homicide, third-degree assault, failure to provide proof of insurance and reckless driving, Mares said.

He is being held in the Elbert County Detention Facility without bond.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news...42/detail.html

A four car accident on I-70 near Limon kills two people. One man, 63-year-old Richard Widmier of Burleston, TX is facing felony charges for causing the accident.

At about 5:45 Saturday evening, Colorado State Troopers responded to the eastbound lanes of I-70 to a multi-car crash. Troopers discovered that four vehicles were traveling eastbound on I-70 in the right lane. A tan Chevy Suburban, A maroon Ford F-150, a blue Jeep Liberty and a white Kenworth truck-tractor pulling a semi-trailer.

According to state troopers, the Chevy, Ford, and Jeep were traveling approximately 15 mph due to blizzard conditions. The Kenworth was traveling approximately 55 mph and struck the rear of the Jeep, causing the Jeep to rotate clockwise. The left side of the Jeep struck the rear of the Ford pickup truck. The Jeep then went off the right side of the road and came to rest facing west. The Jeep then became fully engulfed into flames. The Kenworth continued and collided with the rear of the Ford pickup truck pushing the front of the Ford into Chevy Suburban's left rear. The Chevy Suburban traveled off the right side of the road and came to rest facing east. The Kenworth continued and went off the right side of the road facing east.

The restrained driver of the Kenworth has been identified as Richard E. Widmier, 62 of Burleson, TX. Widmier sustained no injuries and was not transported.

The restrained driver of the Jeep has been identified as Ginger M. Gillespie, 48 of Grand Junction, CO. Gillespie sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene by the Elbert County Coroner.

A restrained female passenger within the Jeep has been identified as Lois A. Kelton, 77 of Grand Junction, CO. Kelton sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene by the Elbert County Coroner.

The restrained driver of the Ford pick up truck has been identified as Joel Villarreal- Ramos, 28 of Greeley, CO. Villarreal-Ramos sustained minor injuries but was not transported.

The restrained driver of the Chevy Suburban has been identified as Aocendo P. Hernandez, 29 of Mexico. Hernandez sustained no injuries but was transported to Lincoln Community Hospital.

Alcohol and drugs are not suspected as contributing factors, however exceeding the safe speed for blizzard conditions was the contributing factor.

Mr. Widmier was arrested and transported to the Elbert County Detention Facility and has been charged with felony vehicular homicide and felony criminal negligent homicide along with some misdemeanor charges.

http://www.kktv.com/news/headlines/42501767.html

[MichaelJCheaney]

Speaking as a truck driver....Which I already know is going to irritate some people.....I can't condone what the tractor trailer driver did.....but 15MPH?

Really?

If you know there is a blizzard....heres a wild idea.....STAY HOME....

Don't go anywhere....

The LAST THING anybody much less a truck driver expects is anybody travelling 15MPH down an interstate....sadly this was -in my mind at least- directly caused by the driver of the car.

[wild_angel_1980]

Well as someone who also holds a Class A CDL with HazMat and tanker endorsements... .

That driver was traveling way too fast for road conditions. If he did not SEE the driver going 15 miles an hour, he was going too fast.

No driver wants to be involved in an accident. I know with all my heart that man did not climb up in the cab that morning and said, "You know I think I am going to plow down some innocent drivers today!"

Accidents happen but that driver needs to take responsibility for his actions. He is driving an 80,000 lbs killing machine.

Yes car drivers are stupid, yes they cut trucks off, yes they follow too closely, and yes they drive too fast or drive too slow.

You and I both know the reality of being behind the wheel. You have to expect the unexpected, plan for the unplanable. That is part of driving that vehicle.

Yeah that car was most likely going way too slow, yeah they shouldn't have been out there going that slowly. But that driver had no business hammering down in a blizzard.

According to state troopers, the Chevy, Ford, and Jeep were traveling approximately 15 mph due to blizzard conditions.

Looks to me like all 3 cars were going the same speed. That implies to me that they were going the appropriate speed for the road conditions.

Just my 2 cents.

[Just my luck sucks]

Seems he has an attitude like my Ex.

Ex thought no one could drive in the snow--except him. He'd drive way too fast for conditions passing other people. Even after he did a 360 down a hill--never slowed him down. I got to the point I wouldn't ride with him--or let him take the kids.

[MichaelJCheaney]

Well as someone who also holds a Class A CDL with HazMat and tanker endorsements... .

That driver was traveling way too fast for road conditions. If he did not SEE the driver going 15 miles an hour, he was going too fast.

No driver wants to be involved in an accident. I know with all my heart that man did not climb up in the cab that morning and said, "You know I think I am going to plow down some innocent drivers today!"

Accidents happen but that driver needs to take responsibility for his actions. He is driving an 80,000 lbs killing machine.

Yes car drivers are stupid, yes they cut trucks off, yes they follow too closely, and yes they drive too fast or drive too slow.

You and I both know the reality of being behind the wheel. You have to expect the unexpected, plan for the unplanable. That is part of driving that vehicle.

Yeah that car was most likely going way too slow, yeah they shouldn't have been out there going that slowly. But that driver had no business hammering down in a blizzard.



Looks to me like all 3 cars were going the same speed. That implies to me that they were going the appropriate speed for the road conditions.

Just my 2 cents.

And I completely agree with your 2 cents....However at the same time the other pet peeve that I have.

DRIVERS (Cars and Trucks) Not using 4 ways or any kind of lights for that matter when the road conditions clearly warrant it. (And in this case they Did)