20-year-old mother and TSA agent Yareni Rios-Gonzalez is fighting for her life after being hit by a train while under police custody in Platteville, Colorado.
On Saturday, September 17, Platteville police officers arrested 20 year old Yareni Rios-Gonzalez on suspicion of felony menacing. According to the police report, the officer stopped Rios-Gonzalez’s car just past a set of railroad tracks and parked the patrol car on the crossing. The officer then placed Rios-Gonzalez under arrest and placed her handcuffed in the back of the squad car. Unfortunately, at that moment, the vehicle was struck by a Union Pacific Freight train with Yareni Rios-Gonzalez still inside. Rios-Gonzalez sustained nine broken ribs, cracked teeth, a fractured sternum, and a broken arm and leg. She has a long road to recovery and will require multiple surgeries.
Colorado Bureau of Investigation and Colorado State Patrol are currently investigating the incident. Yareni Rios-Gonzalez’s family has retained counsel and is being represented by attorney Paul Wilkinson.
“ Her Hands Were Behind Her Back… She saw Everything Coming … I think everybody knows you don’t park a car on train tracks, It’s just reckless and it’s something you don’t do.” stated Wilkinson
Not only is this a case of extreme negligence on the part of Plantersville PD it also shows a complete lack of concern for human life. It is inexcusable that an officer would put someone in such danger and it is a miracle that Yareni Rios-Gonzalez is alive.
“She’s in a lot of pain. And I think she just realizes there’s a long road ahead. And, you know, it’s a little daunting,” stated Rios-Gonzalez Attorney during an interview. Wilkinson also stated
“She is bedridden. She can move around a little bit. She also has a fractured leg that she wasn’t initially aware of,”
Attorney Paul Wilkinson has notified the Fort Lupton and Platteville police departments of a civil lawsuit and is currently in the process of filing. Withholding the names of the officers involved, Platteville PD has released dashcam footage and an audio recording of the arrest and train collision.
The dashcam footage captures the moments prior to the accident. The video shows Rios-Gonzalez’s car stopped in front of a set of railroad tracks with the police cruiser parked on the tracks. In the video Rios-Gonzalez is very cooperative with authorities and is confused as to why she is being stopped.
This is obviously a case of gross negligence on the part of Platteville police officers. How could they have been so careless as to park their squad car on an active railroad crossing? And why did they leave a handcuffed prisoner unattended in the back seat? Also where is the audio of the alleged 911 call stating she is a threat or committing road rage menace? These are questions that need to be answered.
