Trooper Struck on I-70 Near Watkins During Traffic Stop; DUI Suspect Cited

Description: A Colorado State Trooper was injured after a patrol vehicle was rear-ended on I-70 near Watkins. CSP says all involved parties were treated and released, and the crash remains under investigation.

Trooper Struck On I-70 Near Watkins

(COLORADO) – This morning, at about 12:48 a.m., a Colorado State Trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop on westbound Interstate 70 near milepost 295 (near Watkins, Colorado) for a vehicle that was traveling in the left lane and not passing. The trooper did so by activating his emergency lights. The vehicle he contacted stopped in the left lane, so the trooper pulled behind and instructed the driver to move to the shoulder.

As they were coming to a stop, the patrol cruiser was struck in the rear by a grey Jeep Grand Cherokee at a high rate of speed. This pushed the trooper's patrol vehicle into the one he had pulled over, a blue Saturn Outlook.

The Trooper, Trooper Orozco-Diaz, and two other involved persons from the initial stopped vehicle, a 44-year-old adult female and a teenage female from Aurora, were transported to an area hospital to be assessed for their injuries. 

The original driver was charged with failing to yield to an emergency vehicle. She was also driving without a license and was cited for violating restrictions on an instruction permit and for having no proof of insurance. The driver who struck the back of the patrol car, a 47-year-old female out of Byers, Colorado, was placed into custody and later released with a summons to court for suspected driving under the influence charges, among other charges. 

The trooper has since been released and is recovering at his residence with non-life-threatening injuries. All other involved parties were assessed and released from the hospital as well, with minor injuries.

The Colorado State Patrol is the lead investigating agency for this incident. The roadway had been temporarily closed for the crash investigation and reopened at around 5:50 a.m.

Arrests and charges are merely accusations until and unless a suspect is convicted of a crime. All suspects and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

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