AURORA | Aurora Police Chief Todd Chamberlain responded to a grieving family after they again raised issues with an investigation into a 2024 fatal bus-pedestrian crash.
On Nov. 15, 2024, Joseph Jones, 40, was struck and killed by an RTD bus near the intersection of North Sable Boulevard and East Ellsworth Avenue. Jones was dragged approximately 1,000 feet after being hit, according to police and RTD reports.
While police investigated the crash, no arrests were made and the incident received minimal media attention at the time.
Jones’ family told Aurora city council at the Aug. 24 meeting that they don’t feel a thorough investigation was done and are upset that no charges have been brought in his death.
“The bus that hit my son kept going, it never did stop — that’s considered a hit and run,” Jones’ mother, Brigette Jones, said. “Two months and the case was closed just like that. I need answers and I want justice for my son.”
The family previously spoke about their concerns and brought them to council in November 2025, a year after Jones’ death.
In a September public safety meeting, Chamberlain defended the investigation into Jones’ death, saying police treated the case seriously and with dedication. He also empathized with Jones’ family for wanting more information.
“That family has all of the rights in the world to ask questions and I think that is a positive thing and if it was my family member, I’d probably be asking very similar questions if I had any concerns or issues, so we support and understand that,” he said.
Chamberlain emphasized that the police department put “our full resources and full due diligence” into the investigation.
Police arrived on scene and conducted a fatal traffic investigation immediately after the crash was reported on Nov. 15, Chamberlain said. As part of the investigation, traffic cameras, bus cameras and Flock cameras were reviewed, the collision was reconstructed and police analyzed debris on the scene and damage to the bus.
Jones’ family said previously that he was struck by a separate hit-and-run driver and then dragged by the RTD bus, however, Chamberlain said the investigation determined that only the RTD bus was involved in the crash.
It also allegedly found that Jones’ toxicology report was positive for alcohol and THC.
Chamberlain said the investigation did not support criminal charges related to the collision.
“I am sorry for the (family) that they are not satisfied with the circumstances of the completion of the investigation,” he said, adding he can guarantee the case received “the same amount of review that we do for all of these incidents.”
A statement from RTD shared with CBS in 2025 said an investigation determined that RTD was not at fault and added that the company is committed to safety and its thoughts are with the family. CBS also reported that the family is suing RTD and the bus driver.
Jones’ family described him as loving, funny and determined. They said Jones is missed every day.
“When he cared about someone, he cared deeply and he had a big heart,” his sister said. “He knew how to make people laugh and could bring humor into even the simplest moments. The goofy spirit was part of what made him unique. Those laughs, jokes and memories are things our family will carry with us forever.”
Another family member reiterated their need for closure from the investigation.
“He was more than the way he died and his life cannot be reduced to the circumstances of his death,” they said. “He had a life, a family and people who loved him deeply. Our family continues to grieve and we ask that the truth of what happened and the value of Joseph’s life be recognized.”