Cops: Denvers Airport Van-Train Crash May Have Been Intentional

Cops: Denvers Airport Van-Train Crash May Have Been Intentional
Investigators examine the scene where a van was struck but a Denver airport train in Aurora, Colo., on Feb. 14, 2017. RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via AP
The Associated Press
Updated:

Police are investigating the possibility that the motorist hit and killed by Denver’s airport train intentionally pulled his van in front of the train before arrived at a crossing.

Police say the driver ignored an officer trying to stop him from entering the crossing before its gates and lights activated early Tuesday morning.

Then they say surveillance video shows that the driver waited for 38 seconds on the crossing’s first set of tracks before pulling forward to the second set of tracks as the train was headed toward him and the crossing lights were flashing.

Police Sgt. Chris Amsler says the van’s driver made no attempt to move the van and the train hit it.

An officer and a flagger were stationed at the crossing because of ongoing problems with the train system’s automated gates.

Amsler says the crossing’s gates and lights appeared to work properly during the incident.