Charges Filed Against Truck Driver in Fatal Columbia Crash on I-70

A truck driver has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the crash on I-70 in Columbia that happened on Monday, August 5, 2024.

26-year-old Walter J. Montejo from the state of California was charged with two counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter, one count of second-degree assault, and driving with a suspended license.

Montejo was driving a semi truck that hit a U-Haul near the Business Loop 70 exit on I-70.

54-year-old Cindy Helms of Tennessee, and 84-year-old Melvina Colin of Colorado were in the U-Haul and died from their injuries in the crash.

According to the Columbia Police Department, the tractor-trailer was in the westbound passing lane on I-70 near the Stadium Boulevard exit when it hit a vehicle in the driving lane, went over the median and hit a U-Haul truck head-on in the eastbound lanes.

Witnesses told Columbia police that Montejo was traveling at a high speed in the passing lane at the time of the crash according to court documents.

Police say his license was suspended under Missouri’s Administrative law.

Montejo suffered moderate injuries in the crash and was in good condition in the hospital as of Wednesday, August 7, 2024.