Woman Awarded $8.5 Million in Lawsuit Against Police After Train Accident
In a shocking incident that took place in September 2022, Yareni Rios-Gonzalez, a Colorado woman, was severely injured when the parked police car she was handcuffed in was struck by a freight train. However, justice has finally been served as she has been awarded $8.5 million to settle the lawsuit she filed against the police.
At the time of the incident, Rios-Gonzalez had been detained for allegedly displaying a gun during a road-rage incident. While she was recovering at home with multiple injuries, including nine broken ribs, a broken arm, a fractured sternum, and injuries to her head and back, her attorney, Paul Wilkinson, informed KUSA-TV about the outcome of the case.
The dramatic video footage of the accident captured the moment the train collided with the parked patrol car, which was directly on the tracks. Both police bodycam and dashcam videos recorded the chaos as officers scrambled to react as the Union Pacific train approached. In the videos, one can hear an officer shouting, “Oh my God!” multiple times, while another yells, “Stay back!” amidst the blaring horn of the train just before impact.
The lawsuit targeted the Platteville and Fort Lupton police departments, as well as individual officers involved in the incident. It is worth noting that two officers have been fired and criminally charged since then. The awarded settlement will be paid through an insurance arrangement between the towns involved, as stated by their respective attorneys.
Attorney Paul Wilkinson expressed satisfaction with the outcome, describing it as an “excellent result” achieved after a hard-fought legal battle. He further commented on Rios-Gonzalez’s current condition, stating that although she still experiences physical and emotional impacts that will persist throughout her life, considering she was struck by a train, she is doing relatively well.
This case serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of police negligence and the importance of holding law enforcement accountable for their actions. It also highlights the significance of video evidence in legal proceedings, providing a clear picture of what transpired during the incident.
While the financial compensation will help Rios-Gonzalez in her ongoing recovery and future challenges, it is crucial to remember that no amount of money can fully compensate for the physical and emotional trauma she has experienced. Nonetheless, this verdict represents a step towards justice and acts as a deterrent for similar incidents in the future, promoting increased accountability within police departments.
