An ex-police officer in Fort Lupton, Colorado has been sentenced to 30 months of supervised probation for reckless endangerment and assault charges after a handcuffed woman was locked in a police car that was hit by a freight train. Jordan Steinke, who lost her job over the incident, was acquitted of criminal attempt to commit manslaughter. As part of her sentence, Steinke has been ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.
The incident occurred in September 2022 during an investigation of an alleged road rage incident in Weld County, located about 72 miles from Denver. Yareni Rios-Gonzalez, the woman who was placed in the police car, suffered serious injuries, including a brain injury, as a result of the crash.
Steinke expressed remorse and delivered an apology in court during the sentencing, where she stated that the events of that night have haunted her. She hopes to give educational talks to police officers about the dangers of railway tracks.
The judge initially planned to send Steinke to prison in order to hold police officers accountable for misconduct. However, after both the defense and prosecution requested a probationary sentence, the judge changed his mind. The other officer involved in the incident, Pablo Vazquez, is set to go on trial later this year.
This case raises concerns about police misconduct and the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals in custody. It also highlights the need for police officers to receive proper training in order to avoid such incidents in the future.
Sources:
– BBC News
– The Denver Post