The Los Angeles Post
California & Local U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: January 22, 2025
Today: January 22, 2025

Former Colorado officer gets probation for putting woman in police vehicle that was hit by a train

Detained Suspect Train Crash
September 17, 2023
AP - AP

DENVER (AP) — A former Colorado police officer who put a handcuffed woman in a parked police vehicle that was hit by a freight train, causing the woman to suffer serious injuries, has avoided a jail sentence and must instead serve 30 months on supervised probation.

Jordan Steinke, 29, was sentenced Friday by Weld County District Court Judge Timothy Kerns, who found her guilty of reckless endangerment and assault for the Sept. 16, 2022, crash near Platteville. Kerns acquitted the former Fort Lupton police officer of criminal attempt to commit manslaughter after her bench trial in July.

Kerns said he had planned to sentence Steinke to jail, but he changed his mind after both prosecutors and defense attorneys sought a probationary sentence, The Denver Post reported.

“Someone is going to hear this and say: ‘Another officer gets off,’ ” Kerns said. “That's not the facts of this case.”

He ordered Steinke to perform 100 hours of community service. And if she violates the terms of her probation, “I will harken back to my original gut response as to how to address sentencing,” Kerns warned.

Steinke, who wept during the sentencing hearing, apologized to Yareni Rios-Gonzalez, who attended the hearing virtually.

“What happened that night has haunted me for 364 days,” Steinke said. “I remember your cries and your screams.”

Steinke said she hoped to fulfill some of her community service by giving educational talks to new police officers about the dangers of railroad tracks and the importance of officers being aware of their surroundings.

Then-Plateville Police Sgt. Pablo Vazquez had stopped Rios-Gonzalez after a reported road-rage incident involving a gun. Steinke took her into custody and locked her in Vazquez's police vehicle, which was parked on the railroad tracks. A train crashed into the SUV.

Rios-Gonzalez, who suffered a lasting brain injury and is in pain, was conflicted about how she wanted Steinke to be punished, attorney Chris Ponce said.

“The conflict that she feels is one where every day she has to feel this pain,” Ponce said. “And she's had to deal with (doctor) appointments and having her life so radically changed. And feeling upset, very upset about that — angry about that — but on the other hand, feeling for Ms. Steinke, and, I think, truly empathetically feeling sorry for how she lost her career.”

Steinke was fired from the Fort Lupton police department after her conviction. She is expected to lose her Peace Officer Standards and Training certification, her attorney Mallory Revel said, meaning she can never be a police officer again.

During Steinke's trial, her defense attorneys said she did not know that Vazquez had parked his police vehicle on the tracks.

Vazquez still faces trial for his role in the crash. He has been charged with five counts of reckless endangerment for allegedly putting Rios-Gonzalez, Steinke and three other people at risk, as well as for traffic-related violations, including parking where prohibited.

Rios-Gonzalez has also filed a lawsuit against the police agencies involved.

Related

Crime|US

Father and son discover human skull during walk; cold case detectives investigating

Father and son discover human skull during walk; cold case detectives investigating

Father and son discover human skull during walk; cold case detectives investigating
Crime|US

Welder killed in workplace shooting was shot in the head by his assistant, affidavit says

Welder killed in workplace shooting was shot in the head by his assistant, affidavit says

Welder killed in workplace shooting was shot in the head by his assistant, affidavit says
Crime|US

Body camera video shows friendly fire between two officers

Body camera video shows friendly fire between two officers

Body camera video shows friendly fire between two officers
Crime|Political|US

Former NJ senator Menendez loses bid for new trial, to be sentenced next week

Former New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez on Wednesday lost a bid for a new trial, after arguing that his recent corruption conviction should be thrown out because jurors

Former NJ senator Menendez loses bid for new trial, to be sentenced next week
Share This

Popular

Crime|US

Another East Bay woman falls victim to 'grandson scam,' loses $12,500

Another East Bay woman falls victim to 'grandson scam,' loses $12,500
Business|Crime|Technology|US

International theft ring targeting Asian business owners in several cities: police

International theft ring targeting Asian business owners in several cities: police
Crime|Political|US

Supreme Court could revive lawsuit against Texas officer who shot motorist stopped for unpaid tolls

Supreme Court could revive lawsuit against Texas officer who shot motorist stopped for unpaid tolls
Business|Crime|Economy|Environment|Health|Political|US

Everything Trump did in the first executive orders of his presidency

Everything Trump did in the first executive orders of his presidency

Thanks for reading The Los Angeles Post

Create your free account or log in to continue reading.

Already have an account? Sign In