Injured trooper released from hospital after crash
Nov 13, 2024
UPDATE: WEDNESDAY 11/13/2024 8:10 p.m.
(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — CSP has identified the trooper who was injured in a crash on Highway 115 on Wednesday, and provided an update on his condition.
According to CSP, Trooper Tyler Atkins was investigating an earlier crash on Highway 115 in El Paso County when was hit by another driver while inside his patrol car.
Courtesy: Colorado State Patrol
CSP said Atkins was airlifted to the hospital and has since been released to recover at home.
Hwy 115 reopens after crash that injured trooper
UPDATE: WEDNESDAY 11/13/2024 7:38 p.m.
Highway 115 has reopened at Little Turkey Creek Road, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
ORIGINAL STORY: Hwy 115 closed, trooper injured in crash
WEDNESDAY 11/13/2024 5:40 p.m.
A Colorado State Patrol (CSP) trooper has been seriously injured after being hit on Highway 115 southwest of Colorado Springs.
According to CSP, around 3:44 p.m., a trooper was working a previous crash on Hwy 115 when his patrol car was hit at the intersection of Hwy 115 and Little Turkey Creek Road. The trooper was inside the car when it was hit.
CSP said the trooper was airlifted to the hospital for treatment of possible serious injuries, though he is expected to recover. The other driver remained on scene and was also taken to the hospital via ambulance. There were no other injuries, CSP said.
The CSP Vehicular Crimes Unit will investigate the crash, and Hwy 115 near Little Turkey Creek Road is closed due to the crash investigation.
"What else do we need to say to convince drivers to pay attention?" urged Col. Matthew C. Packard, Chief of 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."
Colorado Law requires drivers approaching law enforcement on the shoulder to move to the next lane if one is available, or if unable to do so, drivers are required to slow down.
So far this year, CSP said it has had 11 of its patrol cars hit, with this crash being the second this month.
"Do your job as a driver and focus on the task at hand," said Packard. "Our families, our lives, and your safety depend on it."