Update: The Colorado State Patrol announced late Monday that the suspect has been identified, and charges are pending. The tow truck driver has been released from the hospital following treatment for moderate injuries.

A Colorado State Patrol trooper was injured early July 4, 2026, after a vehicle struck his patrol cruiser from behind while he was conducting a traffic stop on westbound Interstate 70 near milepost 295 near Watkins, Colorado.

At about 12:48 a.m., Trooper Orozco-Diaz attempted to initiate a traffic stop for a vehicle traveling in the left lane and not passing. The contacted vehicle stopped in the left lane, and as the trooper's cruiser and the stopped vehicle were coming to a stop on the shoulder, a grey Jeep Grand Cherokee struck the patrol vehicle from the rear at a high rate of speed. The impact pushed the patrol cruiser into the stopped vehicle, a blue Saturn Outlook.

Trooper Orozco-Diaz and two occupants of the initially stopped vehicle — a 44-year-old adult female and a teenage female from Aurora — were transported to an area hospital. All were assessed and released with minor injuries. The trooper has since been released and is recovering at his residence with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the initially stopped vehicle was charged with failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, driving without a license, violating restrictions on an instruction permit, and having no proof of insurance. The driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 47-year-old female from Byers, Colorado, was placed into custody and later released with a summons to court for suspected driving under the influence, among other charges.

The roadway was temporarily closed for the crash investigation and reopened at approximately 5:50 a.m. The Colorado State Patrol is the lead investigating agency.