CASTLE ROCK, Colorado -- An 11-year Colorado State Patrol trooper was investigating a crash on Interstate 25 near Castle Rock Friday afternoon when he was hit and killed by a passing vehicle, officials said.
Trooper Cody Donahue was out of his vehicle when he was hit by a passing commercial vehicle. He died on the scene. He was a father of two, said spokesman Trooper Josh Lewis.
The cause of the wreck has not been released, but Lewis said Donahue was hit by a semi-trailer. The crash was called in just before 2 p.m.
A criminal investigation is being handled by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, according to a news release.
Officials have detained the driver of the truck, who probably will be arrested and charged, according to a Denver Post report.
“We’re obviously deeply saddened by the loss of our trooper,” Lewis said, adding, “We’re going to do the best we can to pull together as a family.”
At about 5 p.m., the Colorado Department of Transportation said there was no estimated time that I-25 would reopen. All lanes were closed between Tomah Road and Plum Creek Parkway, and drivers were advised to expect delays.
Taylor Thyfault, a 21-year-old State Patrol cadet, was killed in May 2015 when he and a trooper were hit while trying to stop a fleeing car near Longmont. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of trooper.
The driver in that crash was convicted of first-degree murder and is set to be sentenced Tuesday.
In November 2015, Trooper Jaimie Jursevics, 33, was hit and killed by a drunk driver while she was investigating a crash near Castle Rock. A retired Army colonel was sentenced to eight years in prison for hitting her and fleeing the scene.
Prosecutors said he had spent the day drinking at a Denver Broncos game before the crash.
Copyright 2016 The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Tribune News Service
