In a recent trial, Jordan Steinke, a Colorado police officer, was found guilty of reckless endangerment and assault after placing a handcuffed woman inside a parked police vehicle that was subsequently struck by a freight train. However, Steinke was acquitted of the third charge of criminal attempt to commit manslaughter.

The incident occurred on September 16, 2022, resulting in serious injuries to the woman, identified as Yareni Rios-Gonzalez.

During the trial, Judge Timothy Kerns stated that placing a handcuffed person in the back of a patrol car parked on railroad tracks undeniably creates an unwarranted risk of harm by an approaching train. While the evidence presented did not convince the judge that Steinke had knowingly intended to harm Ms. Rios-Gonzalez, he noted that Steinke exhibited feelings of shock and remorse.

Steinke testified that she was unaware that the patrol car of another officer, whom she was assisting, was parked on the railroad tracks, despite the presence of railroad crossing signs visible in her body camera footage. Her focus, she claimed, was on the potential threat posed by Rios-Gonzalez and her pickup truck rather than the ground.

In her defense, Steinke asserted that she placed Rios-Gonzalez in the other officer’s vehicle as a temporary measure because it was the closest spot available at the time. According to her, this action is standard practice for high-risk traffic stops. A defense expert witness, Steve Ijames, testified that in dangerous situations, officers can become overly focused on specific threats and may overlook crucial details, which may later prove important.

Steinke, who was employed by the Fort Lupton Police Department at the time of the incident, faced multiple charges, including criminal attempt to commit manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and third-degree assault.

The other officer involved in the incident, Pablo Vazquez, formerly employed by the police department in nearby Platteville, is also facing prosecution on misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment and traffic offenses. He has yet to enter a plea.

The encounter with Rios-Gonzalez occurred when Vazquez pulled her over on a rural road intersecting U.S. Highway 85 after she was accused of pointing a gun at another driver. The area is known for frequent train crossings, with trains passing along tracks parallel to the highway approximately twelve times a day.

Rios-Gonzalez, who suffered a traumatic brain injury during the incident, is pursuing legal action over her treatment. She later pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor menacing charge. Her lawyer, Chris Ponce, was present in court during the trial, though Rios-Gonzalez herself did not testify or attend.

The Weld County District Attorney’s office did not provide immediate comments when contacted for a response.

In summary, Officer Jordan Steinke was found guilty of reckless endangerment and assault, but not of criminal attempt to commit manslaughter, in a case that resulted in a handcuffed woman being injured after their parked police vehicle was hit by a train. The incident has raised questions about the officer’s awareness of the potential risks involved during the traffic stop.

This story originally appeared on the AP News website by Jesse Bedayn on July 28th, 2023 . Portions of this article were generated using artificial intelligence. 

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