UPDATE: WEDNESDAY, 11/13/2024 20:10

(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — CSP identified the trooper injured in a crash on Highway 115 on Wednesday and provided an update on his condition.

According to CSP, Officer Tyler Atkins was investigating an earlier crash in which he was struck by another driver while inside his patrol car on Highway 115 in El Paso County.

Atkins was airlifted to the hospital and later released to recover at home, CSP said.

Hwy reopened after accident that injured 115 soldiers

UPDATE: WEDNESDAY, 11/13/2024 19:38

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 17:40

A Colorado State Patrol (CSP) trooper was seriously injured after being shot on Highway 115 southwest of Colorado Springs.

According to CSP, around 3:44 p.m., a trooper was working an earlier crash on Hwy 115 when he crashed into his patrol car at the intersection of Hwy 115 and Little Turkey Creek Road. The police were inside the car when he was shot.

The soldier was airlifted to a hospital for treatment of possible serious injuries but is expected to recover, CSP said. While the other driver remained at the scene, he was taken to the hospital by ambulance. CSP said there were no other injuries.

The CSP Vehicle Crimes Unit will investigate the crash and Hwy 115 near Little Türkiye Creek Road is closed due to the crash investigation.

“What else do we need to say to convince drivers to pay attention?” He warned CSP Chief Col. Matthew C. Packard about this. “If you are at the wheel you must be sober, your eyes must be up and it is your responsibility to keep everyone on the road safe. “There are no warnings about not moving, there are no warnings about impaired driving, just long-term consequences.”

Colorado law requires drivers approaching law enforcement to move to the next lane if available or, if unable to do so, drivers to slow down.

CSP said 11 patrol cars have been hit so far this year, making this the second accident this month.

“Do your job as the driver and focus on the task at hand,” Packard said. “Our families, our lives, and your safety depend on it.”

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