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CORRECTION: The train conductors name was incorrectly spelled. The correct name is Jeremiah Hartzell.

UPDATE: The Aurora Police Department Traffic Section with the assistance of the Regional Transportation District (RTD) has completed its investigation into the cause of the R-Line Light Rail Train derailment that occurred on January 28th, 2019 at the intersection of South Sable Boulevard and East Exposition Avenue.

The Aurora Police Department presented the charges against Jeremiah Hartzel, 33 years of age, of one count of 1st Degree Assault, three counts of 2nd Degree Assault and five counts of 3rd Degree Assault for review by the Office of the District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District. The District Attorney will decide the charges that will be accepted. We ask any further questions about this case be directed to the District Attorney’s Office.

The passenger transported to the hospital has requested the Aurora Police Department convey to the media their continued wishes to maintain their privacy and are not interested in any media contact.

No further information is available for release at this time.

Officer Anthony Camacho
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720-432-5095

Information from previous post

On January 28th, 2019, at 7:15 AM, an Aurora Police Officer arrived at the intersection of South Sable Blvd and East Exposition Avenue where an RTD R-Line Light Rail Train had just derailed. The train had been south on Sable Blvd and making the turn to west on Exposition Ave when it jumped the track. One person was ejected from the train and sustained a serious injury. The Aurora Police Officer quickly applied first aid until Aurora Fire Rescue arrived. That person was transported to a local hospital and is in stable condition. A few other passengers on the train reported minor injuries and were also transported to a local hospital.

The Aurora Police Traffic Unit is investigating this incident with the cooperation of RTD. Speed and weather conditions, due to the heavy snowfall, are factors being considered.

The intersection of Sable and Exposition is still closed at this time and may be for a couple more hours.

Sgt. Chris Carleton
Aurora Police Traffic Investigations

Posted by [email protected] On Feb 19, 2019 at 2:03 PM

SBI Crash- E. Mississippi Ave. @ I-225 NB off ramp

Aurora, CO.- 06/18/16, 12:44 a.m.- APD Officers responded to the area of E. Mississippi Ave. and I-225 highway northbound off ramp on a report of a two vehicle crash with injuries. Investigation revealed a red in color 2012 Dodge Charger, driven by a 15yo juvenile male, with two juvenile female passengers, 15 and 14 yo, were northbound on I-225 passing S. Parker Rd. at a high rate of speed without headlamps on. An APD officer was conducting speed enforcement at that location, observing and verifying the Dodge's speed at 80mph with Lidar. The officer merged onto the highway and attempted to stop the Dodge but upon the driver seeing the police vehicle he increased speed and eluded, continuing northbound. The officer discontinued trying to stop the vehicle as the Dodge was driving recklessly, weaving around other traffic. The Dodge continued northbound and exited the highway at E. Mississippi Ave. at a high rate of speed. The Dodge could not stop at the signalized intersection, drove over the center median, going slightly airborne, and broadsided a white in color 2007 Jeep Liberty, driven by a 29 yo female, which was traveling westbound on E. Mississippi Ave. The 29yo female had to be extricated from the vehicle by AFD. All parties involved were transported to a local hospital where the occupants of the Dodge were treated for minor injuries. The 29 yo female victim sustained life threatening injuries from the crash and is currently in ICU in critical condition.

The APD Traffic Section is investigating this incident under report # 2016-24250. We are not releasing names at this time. Charges against the at fault driver are pending the outcome of our investigation. All parents/ guardians of the juveniles were notified. We do not believe alcohol or drug impairment were involved with this crash. Contributing factors of this crash were speed and driver inexperience, as the 15yo male juvenile did not have any kind of driver's license or permit to be driving a motor vehicle.

Lt. Michael A. McClelland
Aurora Police Department Traffic Section
Traffic Section Commander

Posted by Guest On Jun 18, 2016 at 1:54 PM