Toddler dies in machinery accident

By Dennis Webb
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

A 17-month-old boy died Sunday when his father accidentally backed over him while operating a front-end loader at the family’s home just outside Rangely, the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office said.

The accident occurred after Traker Dembowski left his mother and older sister in a horse pen area and walked toward the front-end loader.

He suffered massive head injuries and his parents took him to Rangely District Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by the emergency room physician.

Dr. Albert Krueger, the Rio Blanco County coroner, was notified and deputies were dispatched to the hospital and residence.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation also responded to the scene and is helping with an investigation into the incident. It is expected to be finished by the end of the week.

Undersheriff Michael Joos said he doesn’t anticipate any charges being filed.

“At this point we believe it to be just a tragic accident but we are making sure we’ve dotted our i’s and crossed our t’s,” he said.