DUI Suspect Collides With Police and Firefighters on I-76

By Dhivya Easwarasamy Last updated Dec 8, 2023

DUI Suspect Collides With Police and Firefighters on I-76

After a suspected DUI motorist struck two police officers and two firefighters who were responding to another crash site on Thursday night, Interstate 76 was closed.

According to a representative for the Commerce City Police Department, the motorist was taken into custody after the collision on the roads.

A secondary collision occurred on westbound Interstate 76 and mile point 13, close to the 10600 block, and first responders from the Commerce City police department and the South Adams County Fire Department were present at the scene. Crews were working on an incident that involved a single vehicle.

It was reported by the Colorado State Patrol that a fire truck was obstructing the first and second lanes in order to control traffic. However, drivers were able to pass on the right shoulder even though the fire truck was blocking the lanes.

Suspected DUI driver crashes into 2 police officers, firefighter on I-76:

Suspected DUI driver crashes into 2 police officers, firefighter on I-76 https://t.co/5ehRidTE5A pic.twitter.com/4jdNO3O8vJ

— FOX31 Denver KDVR (@KDVR) December 8, 2023

According to the Colorado State Police, at 9:10 p.m., while emergency workers were responding to that incident, the driver of a Toyota Tacoma drove over the barricades and hit four of the responders. These responders included two officers from the Commerce City Police Department and two firefighters from South Adams County.

Four of the first responders were struck by the Tacoma, which was traveling in the left lane of Interstate 76 and driving on the left shoulder around the firetruck, as stated by the California Highway Patrol. It was on the left shoulder that the truck finally came to a stop after continuing to travel in the westbound direction.

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There were four first responders who were transported to hospitals in the area. The Commerce City Police Department reports that both officers survived the incident with only minor injuries and are expected to be OK.

On Friday morning, the Colorado State Police reported that one firefighter from South Adams County had incurred minor injuries, while the other firefighter had sustained major bodily injuries.

There has been confirmation from South Metro Fire that both firefighters are in stable condition.

As of right now, the driver of the Tacoma is being investigated for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Adam’s County Jail was the location where the driver was booked.