A man rear-ended by a distracted driver on Interstate 70 has died from injuries he sustained in the March 24 crash, the Aurora Police Department said Saturday.
Richard Wadsworth, 60, of Bennett, was struck from behind by a semi-trailer truck on I-70 at Airport Boulevard as 8 a.m. traffic congestion caused slowing and stopping of westbound vehicles. The driver behind Wadsworth failed to notice. The force of the crash drove Wadsworth’s F-350 pickup truck into the back of another semi-trailer truck ahead of him.
Aurora police said charges are pending against the driver they believe caused the accident, John Smith, 43, of Centennial. Police said he told officials he was reaching down for a bag of Cheetos on the floorboard, briefly taking his eyes off the road just as traffic slowed and stopped.
Each of the three vehicles in the crash were carrying one adult occupant. The other two drivers sustained minor injuries.
Police said alcohol and drugs did not appear to be factors in the crash, which closed westbound I-70 for about 2½ hours.
Electa Draper: 303-954-1276, edraper@denverpost.com or
