RTD Settles Lawsuit with Man Hit by Commuter Train in Aurora

Paul Aguilar sued the transit agency for negligence after being struck at Peoria Station in 2023.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:57pm

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An extreme close-up of a damaged train crossing signal light, its red lens cracked and distorted, creating a stark, gritty visual that conceptually represents the safety issues at the heart of this story.A recent lawsuit settlement highlights ongoing safety concerns around RTD's rail network and the potential liability the agency faces for pedestrian incidents.Denver Today

A civil lawsuit filed against the Regional Transportation District by a man who was hit by a commuter rail train in Aurora has been settled for an undisclosed amount, according to court records. Paul Aguilar sued RTD for negligence in 2025 after he was struck by a train while crossing the tracks at Peoria Station in 2023, suffering multiple serious injuries.

Why it matters

This settlement highlights ongoing safety concerns around RTD's rail network and the potential liability the agency faces for incidents involving pedestrians and passengers. The case also raises questions about the design and signage at Peoria Station, which the lawsuit claimed contributed to the crash.

The details

Aguilar was waiting in his wheelchair at the train crossing's pedestrian gates on June 1, 2023, when he saw flashing lights and heard alarms advising that a train was on the tracks. He watched a westbound train leave the station, opened the unlocked pedestrian gates and started to cross, unaware that an eastbound train was also pulling in. The lawsuit alleged that a sign warning pedestrians of the approaching train was blocked by another sign, and the sounds and alarms accompanying the incoming train were the same ones used for the train pulling out.

  • Aguilar was hit by the RTD train on June 1, 2023.
  • Aguilar filed the lawsuit against RTD in May 2025.
  • The case was settled in January 2026 and officially dismissed on March 25, 2026.

The players

Paul Aguilar

A man who was hit by an RTD commuter train while crossing the tracks at Peoria Station in Aurora in 2023, suffering multiple serious injuries.

Regional Transportation District (RTD)

The public transit agency that operates the A Line commuter rail service in the Denver metro area, which was sued by Aguilar for negligence.

Denver Transit Partners

A company named in Aguilar's lawsuit that was involved in the operation of the RTD rail system.

Denver Transit Operators

A company named in Aguilar's lawsuit that was involved in the operation of the RTD rail system.

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What they’re saying

“RTD is aware that there was a resolution to this case and will not comment on the terms of the agreement. Maintaining safety throughout the transit network is paramount for RTD, and the agency continues to employ the highest level of safety practices on the system.”

— Tina Jaquez, RTD Public Relations Manager

The takeaway

This settlement highlights the ongoing challenges RTD faces in ensuring the safety of its rail network and passengers, particularly at stations like Peoria where design and signage issues may have contributed to a serious accident. The case also underscores the potential financial liability the agency can face for such incidents, even years later.