Share this @internewscast.com

WELD COUNTY, Colo. — A Fort Lupton officer accused of knowingly putting a woman inside a parked patrol car that was then struck by a train is one step closer to learning her fate.

In September, Officer Jordan Steinke responded to a felony stop north of Platteville. Authorities said the initial call was reported as an alleged road rage incident involving a firearm in Ft. Lupton earlier in the evening.

Body-worn camera video shows Steinke placing a woman, 20-year-old Yareni Rios-Gonzalez, inside of a patrol car parked on top of train tracks. Moments later, a freight train slammed into the car, seriously injuring Rios-Gonzalez.

Local News

Video shows train hitting Platteville patrol vehicle with arrested woman inside

11:11 AM, Sep 23, 2022

Steinke is accused of criminal attempt to commit reckless manslaughter, third-degree assault, and reckless endangerment. The judge will decide her fate, and his verdict is expected on Friday at 1:30 p.m.

The crux of the case is whether or not Steinke knew the patrol car was parked on top of train tracks. Prosecutors claim Steinke was aware of the tracks, and consciously disregarded them. They called her actions “a substantial and unjustifiable risk.”

Steinke cried during closing arguments. Defense attorneys claim the prosecutor’s argument involves speculation and “not proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” They said Steinke could not disregard a risk she did not know was there.

“Officer Steinke was not trying to harm Ms. Rios-Gonzalez. To the contrary, this accident has haunted Officer Steinke every single day since it occurred. It was a horrific accident,” said defense attorney Mallory Revel during her closing argument.

In her own words on the stand, Steinke said she saw the tracks but did not perceive them. Essentially, her point — as argued by defense attorneys — was that she did not register or process what she was seeing.

Local News

Colorado woman hit by train while trapped in patrol car files lawsuit

3:53 PM, Jan 27, 2023

One of the attorneys representing Rios-Gonzalez in her civil case, Chris Ponce, said his client will respect and accept whatever decision is made in the criminal proceedings.

“Their defense is that this situation was so stressful to this officer that she simply did not notice that the train tracks were there,” said Ponce. “It’s our opinion — again, as we’ve stated in documents that we’ve filed publicly — that is just not true. It’s simply not true. The train tracks were obvious, it was ignored… and the situation just wasn’t all that stressful.”


D7 follow up bar 2460x400FINAL.png

What do you want Denver7 to follow up on? Is there a story, topic or issue you want us to revisit? Let us know with the contact form below.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Stepfather Accused of Using Dog Collar to Harm 6-Year-Old Boy, Says Sheriff

  Inset: Zachary Perez (Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center). Background: The Turner…

Man Kills Grandmother and Sets Her Body on Fire in Dispute Over Flea Medication

George Sisco (Pike County District Attorney’s Office). A Pennsylvania man will spend…

Cherished Victorian Town’s Sacred Site and Tourist Attraction Found Vandalized

With a population of just over 200, everyone knows everyone in Cheshunt,…

Sheriff Reports: Man Killed While Celebrating Mother’s Day with Mom

Inset: Charles Storey (Harris County Jail). Screengrab: Scene where Storey allegedly shot…

Minnesota AG Opposes Effort to Pardon Derek Chauvin

Left: A photo showing Derek Chauvin restraining George Floyd, who died while…

Questioning Set for Psychiatrist of Shopping Mall Shooter

A psychiatrist’s decision to stop Joel Cauchi’s medication will be scrutinised by…

Court Proceedings Begin in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Sex-Trafficking Case

A jury was finalized on Monday in Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sex-trafficking…

Judge in Michigan Banned from Presiding Over Felony Cases

Kirsten Nielsen Hartig (Oakland County). A Michigan judge, reportedly with a history…

Police Report: Lottery Winner Pretends to Be Dead to Escape Attacker

Inset: Pablo Figueroa being escorted by police following his 2024 arrest (KPTV).…

Nebraska Father Commits Murder-Suicide Just Hours Before Son’s Graduation, Stuns Community During Mother’s Day Weekend

The wife of a Nebraska man, who is suspected of killing his…

FSU Shooting Suspect Out of Hospital, Now Facing Murder Charges

The stepson of a Florida sheriff’s deputy, who was accused of shooting…

Armed Suspect at Large After Assault on Truck Driver in Sydney

A gunman is on the run after firing shots at a truck…