By Lauren Penington
The Denver Post
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — A suspected drunken driver crashed into the back of a Commerce City police car early Tuesday morning, injuring the officer inside, police said.
Just after midnight Tuesday, the officer was investigating another crash on Interstate 270 west of Vasquez when his patrol car was hit from behind, according to the Commerce City Police Department. The officer was inside the patrol car at the time of the crash.
Paramedics took the officer to the hospital but said he is expected to survive.
A photo posted by the police department shows the damaged patrol vehicle. The back half of the car is crumpled in on itself, the windows are shattered and the patrol car was physically turned off the road by the force of the crash.
“The picture is horrific, and we are so grateful tonight that our officer is expected to be okay,” the police department said on Facebook. “Looking at the damage… it’s hard to believe. Please — stop drinking and driving.”
The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and the Colorado State Patrol is investigating the crash, which shut down the interstate for more than three hours, police said. I-270 reopened just before 5 a.m. Tuesday.
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