EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. — A Colorado state trooper was sitting in his patrol car investigating a traffic incident along a highway when a suspected DUI driver rear-ended the patrol car and injured the trooper Wednesday afternoon, Colorado State Patrol said.
Around 3:44 p.m., CSP Trooper Tyler Atkins was injured while sitting in his marked patrol car along Highway 115 and Little Turkey Creek Rd. in El Paso County when his car was struck from behind, a news release from CSP said.
Atkins was airlifted to a nearby hospital to be treated for "serious injuries." He was later released and is "currently recovering at home," CSP said.
CSP said the driver who crashed into the patrol car remained on scene and was transported to an area hospital. CSP said the other driver is suspected of driving under the influence. There were no other injuries reported in the incident.
This is the second CSP trooper hit by a suspected impaired driver this month. Golden Police Department lost a police officer last week. Officer Evan Dunn was investigating a traffic incident on the side of a highway when a suspected DUI driver crashed into one of the cars involved in the original traffic crash investigation, hitting Dunn and another officer. The accident killed Dunn.
11 Colorado State Patrol cars have been struck this year, the agency said.
"What else do we need to say to convince drivers to pay attention?" said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the CSP. "If the steering wheel is in your hands, you must be sober, your eyes must be up, and it is your responsibility to keep everyone else on the road safe. There are no warnings for failing to move over, there are no warnings for impaired driving, just long-lasting consequences. Do your job as a driver and focus on the task at hand. Our families, our lives, and your safety depend on it."
CSP renewed a call for drivers to obey the state's Move Over law which requires drivers to move to the next lane and drive with due care. If there is no lane available, or if you are not able to move over, you are required to slow down.