$8.5M settlement reached in Platteville train crash that hurt handcuffed woman
DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado law enforcement agencies have settled for $8.5 million with a woman who was handcuffed in the back of a patrol car when it was hit by a train.
Yareni Rios-Gonzalez was detained in the police vehicle in September 2022 when an officer parked it on the train tracks, putting it in the direct path of a freight train that crashed into it and seriously hurt the woman.
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Paul Wilkinson, attorney for Rios-Gonzalez, confirmed the settlement amount on Tuesday.
Both the Fort Lupton and Platteville police departments were named in the lawsuit, as well as the officers involved in the incident. Platteville Police Chief Carl Dwyer released the following statement to FOX31:
In consultation with its insurer, the Town of Platteville has decided to settle its claims with Ms. Rios-Gonzalez. Platteville’s share of the settlement will be paid by its insurance carrier. This decision was in the best interests of the Town and its citizens given the cost, risk, and expenses of further litigating the case.
The Town apologizes to Ms. Rios for what occurred to her in September 2022 and the Department remains committed to providing the best service possible for all who reside, visit and travel through our community.
Platteville Police Chief Carl Dwyer
FOX31 still awaited a response from the Fort Lupton Police Department as of Tuesday evening.
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Both officers in the case faced prosecution. Platteville Police Officer Pablo Vazquez pleaded guilty to a count of reckless endangerment for parking his patrol car on the tracks and was sentenced to 12 months unsupervised probation.
Fort Lupton Police Officer Jordan Steinke, who put the woman in the back of the patrol car, was found guilty of reckless endangerment and assault and sentenced to 30 months supervised probation and 100 hours of community service.
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Rios-Gonzalez suffered a traumatic brain injury as well as numerous broken ribs, a broken leg and a broken back in the crash. She had been detained before the crash after another driver accused her of flashing a firearm.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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