COMMERCE CITY - A Denver Rock Island Railroad switchman is dead after he was struck by a semi-truck on Wednesday night. It happened at 6:45 p.m. at a railroad crossing near 66th Avenue and Franklin Street. The Colorado State Patrol says the train was traveling at approximately 5 mph as it entered the crossing. The switchman was at the front of the train, clearing the intersection, as the engineer was in the engine in the back of the train. The semi entered the crossing at the same time as the train and the two collided. The switchman was trapped between the truck and the train and died at the scene. The truck rolled onto its side and the driver was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injures. The intersection remained closed as the Colorado State Patrol and railroad officials investigated the crash. The railroad crossing has a sign, but no lights or barriers. The switchman's sister identified him as Jerry Rivera, 33. She says he leaves behind a wife and three daughters.
Man, that is sad. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. :sad: I wonder if they will charge the truck driver with "failing to yield".
