State trooper involved in crash seriously injured along Highway 115

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – A state trooper was seriously injured in a crash along Highway 115 late Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), Trooper Tyler Atkins was investigating a crash a few miles southwest of Colorado Springs when his patrol SUV was struck from behind at 3:44 p.m.

Photos released by CSP show heavy damage to the SUV and the Nissan Sentra that rear-ended it.

Atkins, who was in the SUV at the time, was airlifted to UCHealth Memorial Central with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

CSP later confirmed that Atkins was treated at the hospital and released a few hours later to continue his recovery at home.

The driver who caused the accident remained at the scene, according to CSP. The driver, who has not yet been identified, was believed to be under the influence at the time.

“What else do we need to say to convince drivers to pay attention?” Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said in a news release. “When you have the wheel in your hands, you must be level-headed, your eyes up, and it is your responsibility to keep everyone else safe on the road. There are no warnings for not turning, there are no warnings for bad driving, only 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 said this is the 11th time this year that a state patrol vehicle has been struck and the second time this month.

Both sides of the highway remained closed for almost two hours.

The scene eventually cleared around 7:15 a.m., allowing drivers to resume travel in both directions between Colorado Springs and Penrose.