THORNTON, Colo. --
The northbound lanes of Interstate 25 were closed at 84th Avenue for over four hours after a Thornton police motorcycle officer was struck by a suspected drunken driver Saturday morning.
"A very accomplished motorcycle officer. I wish I rode as good as he did," said commande Lee Vitgenos of the Thornton Police Department.
The crash happened after 8 a.m. on the 8900 block of I-25. All northbound lanes were reopened after 12:30 p.m.
Matt Barnes, spokesman for Thornton police, said the officer was doing traffic enforcement in the northbound lanes. He said the officer pulled into traffic to make a traffic stop before he was rear-ended by a red SUV.
The motorcycle was traveling in the center lane and had its emergency lights and siren activated when the crash occurred, Barnes said.
Thornton police said the driver of the car was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.
A medical helicopter was called to the crash scene for the injured officer. Barnes said he did not know his condition.
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