BOGOTA, Colombia

Governor Jared Polis of the US state of Colorado on Thursday commuted the prison term of truck driver Rogel Aguilera-Mederos to 10 years after his 110-year sentence for a fatal accident sparked outrage. 

On Dec. 13, Aguilera-Mederos was convicted of killing four people in April 2019. He claimed his brakes failed. Prosecutors said he should have used an emergency exit ramp before the scene of the crash.

A jury found Aguilera-Mederos guilty of vehicular homicide and 23 other charges and sentenced him to the minimum available on all counts, totaling 110 years in prison. Judge Bruce Jones said he did not believe Aguilera-Mederos deserved such a lengthy term but that Colorado law requires mandatory minimum penalties.

“If I had the discretion, if I thought I had the discretion, I would not run those sentences consecutively,” Jones said.

Aguilera-Mederos asked for forgiveness.

“It’s hard to live with this trauma. I can’t sleep, I’m thinking all the time about the victims,” he said.

After the sentencing, more than 5 million people, including reality show star Kim Kardashian, signed an online petition requesting clemency for the Cuban immigrant.​​​​​​​

"Rogel has said several times that he wishes he had the courage to crash and take his own life that day. This tragic accident wasn't done with intent. It wasn't a criminal act, it was an accident," said the petition.

Governor Polis on Thursday said it was a “tragic but unintentional act.”

"The length of your 110-year sentence is simply not commensurate with your actions, nor with penalties handed down to others for similar crimes," Polis wrote in a letter to Aguilera-Mederos.

"There is an urgency to remedy this unjust sentence and restore confidence in the uniformity and fairness of our criminal justice system, and consequently I have chosen to commute your sentence now."

Aguilera-Mederos will be eligible to apply for parole in five years.