Daniel Torrez Cited in Littleton Semi-Truck Accident
Daniel Torrez was cited for careless driving in the March 10 crash at the QuikTrip station in the 2300 block of West Belleview Avenue.
The crash happened around 1:30 p.m. at the QuikTrip station in the 2300 block of West Belleview Avenue.
Torrez, who was driving a semi, had just exited southbound Santa Fe Drive onto Belleview Avenue when he went off the road. The semi struck a parked vehicle, pushing it into the building. The wall of the building partially collapsed during the impact.
Officers and firefighters from West Metro Fire Rescue responded to the scene. They rescued the person who was stuck inside the car. That person was released from the hospital a few days later and is expected to make a full recovery, police said.
There were about five employees and 25 customers in the gas station when the crash happened. Police said none of them reported injuries.
The business has been turned back over to the property owner and remains closed indefinitely.
Torrez told investigators he believed his brakes failed before the crash. However, investigators determined there were no mechanical issues with the truck, according to police. Torrez was cited for careless driving causing bodily injuries, police said.
Investigators are examining why Daniel Torrez's semi-truck left the road and crashed into a car and the QuikTrip gas station. Torrez claimed brake failure, but police found no mechanical issues with the truck. This suggests other factors, such as driver distraction or inattention, may have played a role. Commercial truck accident investigations often focus on driver conduct, vehicle maintenance records, and company policies.
"In commercial vehicle accidents like the one involving Daniel Torrez, investigators careful review several critical areas. They analyze electronic logging device (ELD) data, hours-of-service records, maintenance logs for the truck, and driver qualification files. Additionally, toxicology reports for the driver are common, especially when careless driving is suspected. The goal is to determine if any violations of federal trucking regulations or company policies contributed to the crash." said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
Accidents involving commercial vehicles, such as semi-trucks, can be particularly complex due to the varying regulations and potential for severe injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,354 people died in crashes involving large trucks nationwide in 2023, with passenger vehicle passengers accounting for 65% of those death. While commercial truck drivers often undergo extensive training, incidents of careless driving still occur, endangering others on the road.
Colorado follows a modified comparative fault (50% bar) system. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 3 years. Damages include economic losses and non-economic losses. Colorado caps non-economic damages in most personal injury cases.