The happiest time in one family's life quickly turned into one of the worst moments. A pair of newlyweds from Colorado were driving with the bride's parents and the couple's 1-year-old son when absolute tragedy struck. A semitruck overturned, spilling its contents — massive pipes — all over the interstate. This caused multiple crashes on the highway. The family's car was one of several that crashed as a result, and the couple were killed.
Now, the couple's family must pick up the pieces of their grief, all while also navigating what it will look like to raise the couple's 1-year-old son.
More from CafeMom: 4 of 5 Family Members Die in Fiery Car Crash After Alleged Street Racer Slams Into Them
This was an unspeakable tragedy.
Ruben Rodriguez and Juliana Rodriguez-Plata, were driving west on the I-70 on Thursday, August 15. The couple's 1-year-old son and Rodriguez-Plata's parents were also in the car at the time.
A semitruck was traveling east when it rolled over, spilling nearly 100 large plastic tubes that weighed almost 500 pounds each. One of the tubes hit their car. Police said that at least seven vehicles were involved in the crash, including the semi.
The couple were returning from their honeymoon.
According to family, the couple had gotten married the previous Saturday, and were spending some time in the Colorado mountains on their honeymoon. The day after their wedding, they celebrated their son Daniel's first birthday. Daniel and Rodriguez-Plata's father, Carlos Plata, who along with his wife were visiting from Colombia for the wedding, are the only survivors.
"I saw when the pipes were going so I just closed my eyes and no reaction, I just felt the impact and I woke up out of nowhere and just saw the baby crying and everyone unconscious, not waking up," Carlos Plata told news affiliate KDVR. "It was terrible, the accident, the image, all the blood. They were just instantly dead. Seeing my whole family, my daughter and my wife dead."
Their family speaks of the newlyweds with a lot of love.
"They were also joyful together, they were just in love. A love you’ll never see anywhere else. Always together 24/7," Juliana's nephew, Tony Rodriguez, told KDVR.
"It fully hasn’t hit me yet, but I just think about it and I just want to cry because he was happy, he met her, he had a kid. I’ve never seen him this happy," another cousin, Esli Rodriguez said.
More from CafeMom: Family Birthday Party Ends in Tragedy After Alleged Drunk Driver Crashes, Kills 2 Children
A GoFundMe has been set up.
Ruben Rodriguez's sister-in-law, Janell Rodriguez, set up a GoFundMe shortly after the crash.
"We are reaching out for support to help these families during this incredibly difficult time. Funds will be used to cover funeral costs, support for little Daniel, and any additional expenses that may arise," she wrote.
The family is still reeling from the sudden loss.
"We just want to know exactly what happened because they were on the other side of the highway. They weren't even near the semitruck," she told local news affiliate KMGH-TV. "And then the baby without both of his parents, you know? It's hard. It's hard for the family. So we're just gathered here right now just trying to be strong together," she said.
