A Thornton man killed Wednesday night when a semi-trailer truck hit a train in Adams County has been identified as a conductor with the Denver Rock Island Railroad.
Ernest “Jerry” Rivera, 33, was killed in the accident at East 66th Avenue and Franklin Street about 7 p.m. Wednesday, a railroad spokesman said.
Family members of the conductor showed up at the crossing shortly after the crash, said Trooper Gilbert Mares of the Colorado State Patrol.
According to the family, Rivera is survived by three daughters. He had worked for the railroad for about four years.
The truck driver was identified as Wendell T. Cox, 47, of Bedford Heights, Ohio. Cox was treated at North Suburban Hospital in Thornton for minor injuries.
He was then cited for careless driving causing death and taken to the Adams County Jail, the State Patrol said.
Alcohol and drugs are not thought to be factors.
The train was backing up, with the conductor at the rear of the leading rail car. The train included only an engine and three cars and, like the Freightliner truck, did not appear to be carrying a load.
The train was moving about 5 mph, but the speed of the semi is under investigation.
