A Colorado woman was seriously injured when police placed her in the back of a patrol car before it was hit by a train.
Per a report from the Associated Press, which also cited information from the Denver Post, the woman has been identified as 20-year-old Yareni Rios-Gonzalez. In an initial statement, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation said the incident occurred on the evening of Sept. 16 in the Platteville area. Per the bureau, the Platteville Police Department is believed to have first arrived at the scene in response to a report of “an alleged road rage incident involving a firearm.”
During an ensuing traffic stop, the woman stopped her vehicle “just past” the track, while police have been determined to have stopped their car directly on the tracks. Ultimately, officers from Ft. Lupton also arrived on the scene, at which point the woman was put in the back of a Platteville Police Department vehicle. A northbound train then struck the car.
When reached for comment by Complex on Tuesday, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation shared an updated statement on the status of the multi-agency investigation and also confirmed that, as of Sept 19, the woman remained hospitalized in the Greeley area but was “expected to survive” after sustaining multiple injuries.
“While specific details cannot be provided, CBI agents are actively investigating its portion of the case through interviews and a comprehensive review of evidentiary material from the scene,” a rep said.
Also involved in various aspects of the ongoing investigation are the Ft. Lupton Police Department, the Colorado State Patrol, and the Platteville Police Department.
A rep for the Platteville Police Department, meanwhile, confirmed to Complex that “the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave” pending the completion of the investigation.
