Family Believes Road Rage Caused Deadly Crash Off I-25
DENVER (CBS4)- The family of the victims in a deadly crash off Interstate 25 near Larkspur believe it was started by road rage.
All three victims worked for Chacka Moving and Transport based out of Denver. Valentin Baca, or Tim as he was known by loved ones, owned the business and often hired friends and family members as movers to help them get back on their feet.
The other two victims in the SUV were Tim's cousin Simon Mejia and a 15-year-old male who was learning the business.
"I lost my best friend, my kids lost their father,' said Tim's wife Jennifer Baca.
"I love him," said Tim's son, 8-year-old Mathias Baca.
Jennifer Baca says her husband was behind the wheel on the frontage road along the northbound lanes of I-25 near Larkspur when the SUV he was driving went off the road and plummeted 20 feet into a culvert.
Two of Tim Baca's cousins were in a moving truck not far behind the SUV. Jennifer Baca says the men watched the whole scene unfold, and even tried to help the three victims out of the car before it burst into flames.
"It's a nightmare and I keep thinking I'm going to wake up and he is going to be there, telling me everything is going to be okay," said Jennifer Baca.
Now family members are asking witnesses to come forward and provide information to the Colorado State Patrol.
"It's not just about my son, it's about everyone, we have to take care of so much and I'm pleading if anyone saw anything, anything... report that to police," said Tim's mother Esther.
"For other drivers, don't have road rage, don't brake check anybody because you never know what happens, you can cause somebody to lose their life," said Simon's niece Monique Mejia.
Investigators are working to determine what led up to the crash, but believe Tim Baca was trying to avoid a collision with another car before he crashed. They also say it appears he was driving the speed limit, but are looking into witness reports of another car brake-checking seconds before the crash.
Additional Resources
Loved ones have started a GoFundMe campaign to help support the victims' families.
Howard Nathan is a veteran newsman. Decades later, he still enjoys writing a clever sentence, asking the tough question and talking to people in Colorado. Follow him on Twitter @CBS4Howard and read his bio.
