A woman who survived after being left, handcuffed, in the back of a police car when it was hit by a train won a $8.5 million settlement against the two Colorado towns that employed the police officers involved, the Washington Post reports.
Seen in a dashcam and bodycam video that went viral after the incident in 2022, Yareni Rios-Gonzalez was arrested after an alleged road rage incident and placed in the Platteville Police cruiser parked directly on railroad tracks. The Fort Lupton officer who belted Rios-Gonzalez in the cruiser locked the door with her in the car, but seconds later heard a train horn. Despite efforts by the two officers to try to get Rios-Gonzalez, they had to retreat as the train approached, demolishing the car.
Rios-Gonzalez survived the impact but still suffers from multiple injuries including a traumatic brain injury. Both officers involved were charged with crimes: one was convicted of assault and reckless endangerment while the other pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment.