Pedestrian versus Train Accident

APD Case 17-6674
February 19, 2017 at 2:07 PM
E. 30^th Ave & N. Peoria St 

  On February 19, 2017 at about 2:07 PM, Aurora Police and Fire responded to E. 30^th Ave & N. Peoria St. on a report of a pedestrian being struck by a RTD light rail train on the R line.  There they found that a 35 year old Asian male had been struck and was unresponsive.  He was transported to a local hospital where he was declared deceased.

  The investigation thus far indicates that the male was walking east on the north side of 30^th, west towards the light rail tracks.  The oncoming light rail train, which was in training operation with no passengers, was traveling south.  The safety equipment at the crossing was activated to include the arms that stop vehicular traffic on the roadway, pedestrian gates and illuminated signs with the international symbol for “Don’t Walk”.

  For an unknown reason, the pedestrian ignored the warnings, pushed through the gate and into the path of the light rail train.  The train operator immediately activated the emergency braking system but was unable to stop before striking the male. It appears that the male was hearing impaired and possible intoxication is also a factor being investigated at this time.

  The Aurora Police Traffic Unit will conduct the investigation in coordination with the Adams County Coroner’s Office, who will release the identity of the male at a later date.
Sgt. C. Carleton
Traffic Investigations

On Wednesday February 15, 2017 at approximately 2:30 a.m., Aurora Police Officers responded to the area of a tattoo shop located at 3095 S. Peoria St.  Officers responded in an attempt to locate a suspect who was wanted by the Federal Heights Police Department for domestic violence related charges.  The suspect, who is identified as John Arthur Thomas (DOB 07/21/1971), was believed to be at this location by the Federal Heights Police Department.  Officers eventually observed Thomas at approximately 4:45 a.m. outside of the tattoo shop and the suspect retreated inside of the business. 

Thomas made recent statements that he wished to cause harm to law enforcement Officers and was known to be armed and dangerous.  Officers on scene subsequently requested the assistance of additional specialized units, who responded to the scene.

After contact was established with Thomas inside the business, Thomas eventually surrendered without incident and members of the Federal Heights Police Department took custody of Thomas.

As a result of this incident, S. Peoria St. was closed between E. Cornell Ave. and S Parker Rd. but the road was reopened at approximately 11:00 a.m.

The Aurora Police Department appreciates the assistance, cooperation and understanding of the public and the media.  No further updates are expected at this point.

Any questions pertaining to the domestic violence incident should be directed to the Federal Heights Police Department.

Officer Bill Hummel
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
 720-432-5095

Aurora, CO. - January 25^th, 2017-  The Aurora Police Department Traffic Section, in conjunction with multiple metropolitan law enforcement agencies, will be conducting traffic enforcement and education operations today in support of Colorado’s “Move Over” law.  The goal of this operation is to raise awareness and educate drivers on the law for the safety of our first responders out there on the roadways.  The Move Over law requires drivers to move over a lane when there’s an emergency situation along the shoulder.  If the driver can’t move over, they must slow down significantly to avoid an accident.  The law includes all Law Enforcement, Emergency vehicles, First Responders and Tow trucks.  This operation is in response to the tragic death of Colorado State Patrol Trooper Cody Donahue on November 25^th of last year, who was investigating an accident on the shoulder of I-25 in Castle Rock, when a semi-truck driver failed to move over, drifted onto the shoulder, killing Trooper Donahue.  Our operations will be conducted on the I-225 and I-70 highway corridors for most of the day.  Most drivers stopped for violating the law will be educated and given warnings.  Those violations deemed more severe could result in a traffic summons being issued with fines and/or mandatory court appearances. 
​

Lieutenant Michael A. McClelland

Aurora Police Department Investigations Division

Traffic Section Commander

303-739-6326

[email protected]

UPDATE-Press release from the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office:

17th Judicial District Attorney Dave Young announced Friday that formal charges of first-degree murder after deliberation have been filed against Jose Luis Lozoya in the stabbing death of 18-year-old Alonzo Devault on Monday.
Aurora police responding to a 911 call found Devault with multiple stab wounds on the ground in a parking lot at 14551 E. Colfax Avenue on at about 12:20 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16.

Lozoya (DOB 11/04/92) is charged with one count of first-degree murder after deliberation (F1). He was advised of the charge Friday morning and a preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. Feb. 21 in Division T of Adams County District Court. Lozoya is held without bond.

Anyone who has information regarding this incident is asked to contact Aurora Police Detective Jamie Krieger at 303-739-6113.
The filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual committed a crime under Colorado laws. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Sue Lindsay
Public Information
17th Judicial District Attorney's Office
303-835-5639

 
The suspect, an adult male,  was located by officers in the area. The suspect was taken into custody without incident. The identity of the suspect is not being released at time. They are actively investigating this case and interviewing witnesses.  

Detectives from the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Investigation Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation into this case.

The name of the deceased victim will be released by the Adams County Coroner’s Office once they have positively identified him and his next of kin have been notified.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding this case to call Agent Jamie Krieger at (303) 739-6113.

Today the Aurora Police Department was notified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office that the body that was discovered in the Olympic Park Pond has been positively identified as David Puckett. No traumatic injuries were found during the autopsy. Further investigation and studies need to be completed before the Coroner can determine a cause and manner of death. 

The Aurora Police Crimes Against Children Unit is still actively investigating this incident to determine the circumstance surrounding David’s death.

Arapahoe County Coroner's Office News Release.

Sergeant Chris Amsler
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095

Information previously released on January 2, 2017:
​
On Monday January 2, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. the Aurora Police Department conducted a second press briefing on the grounds of the Yale Elementary School located at 16001 East Yale Avenue. The following information was shared:

We would like to continue to thank the public for their continued support in helping us find David, and again thank you to the media who have played an important role in helping us find David.

We began with answering questions from today's earlier press briefing, and provided the following answers:

David was confirmed to have been seen by someone other than his family earlier on Saturday.

David went missing approximately one hour prior to the Aurora Police Department being notified. The reason for the delay was the family began searching for David in locations they believed they might find him.

David has three other juvenile siblings living in the home.

The family has been cooperative with police, and investigators have thoroughly searched the home multiple times.

We are speaking with all known sex offenders in the area as part of our investigation.

The FBI coordinated road canvasses today. This is just another tool we use to help bring awareness to finding David.

A Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Bloodhound responded immediately to the scene the night David went missing.

Arapahoe Rescue Patrol and officers, have checked bodies of water in the area.

We are asking for the public to call our tip lines immediately if you believe you have found something of interest to this investigation. Additionally, we are asking everyone to not share or report those items on social media as they are not monitored 24/7, and we would like an officer to respond immediately.

The public can help by physically searching their homes, automobiles, and any structures on their property where a child may be able to hide. Children may not respond to you by simply calling their name, so its important to physically search these areas.

The Metro Crime Stoppers Denver (MCSD) have previously offered a $2,000.00 reward, with an additional $3,000.00 special reward. Today, The Aurora Police Reward Fund has contributed $5,000.00 bringing the total reward fund up to $10,000.00. You can call CrimeStoppers at 720-913-STOP or text DMCS at 274637 and remain anonymous. See the flier with reward information here #FindingDavidReward.pdf.

Tomorrow our press briefings will be held at a different location, and we will provide the time and new location via Twitter tomorrow morning. 

Again, we would like to thank our local, state and federal law enforcement partners including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) for their continued supporting in #FindingDavid.

Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Officer of the Chief of Police
Media Relations Unit
DESK: 303-739-6038
On-Call PIO Line 720-432-5095