Man suspected of driving a train under the influence arrested

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Authorities have arrested a Union Pacific Railroad employee suspected of driving a train while under the influence of a controlled substance.

Officers were called to the scene to respond to a reported fight between crew members. Laramie County Sheriff ’s deputies were later informed that the train’s conductor, Parker Matthew, had barricaded himself inside the locomotive to escape the engineer, Kristopher Richards.

Though Richards was suspected of having driven the train while under the influence of a controlled substance, Wyoming’s state DUI law exempts cars on rail. Instead, Richards was arrested Friday for misdemeanor reckless endangerment, being under the influence of a controlled substance and interference with a peace officer.

Richards’ case has not yet been bound over to district court, nor has he entered a plea.

The Laramie County Sheriff ’s Office was initially called to UPRR locomotive engine #6360 near mile marker 506 of the UPRR tracks at 3:53 p.m. Friday in reference to a report that the two crew members on the train were fighting.

An agent with the UPRR Police, Todd McKeeman, advised the deputies that Matthew had barricaded himself inside the locomotive to escape from Richards.

Deputy Shaun Teter spoke with Richards, who made a number of statements regarding his condition and control of the locomotive, according to court documents. He claimed he was in full control of the locomotive during the trip, adding that at some point he had fallen asleep “a little bit” and possibly “for the whole trip.”

He claimed not to know who stopped the train, though Matthew told Teter that Richards had stopped the train. Richards also provided an inaccurate spelling of his name and an incorrect date of birth.

This story was published on March 26, 2026.