'We Lost One Of Our Best': Trooper Struck, Killed By Vehicle On I-70
ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The Colorado State Patrol mourns the loss of a trooper who was hit and killed Friday night in the line of duty. Officials say 37-year-old William Moden died after investigating a separate crash on Interstate 70 at around 10 p.m.
The crash happened near Deer Trail. Another trooper who was already at the crash scene started helping Trooper Moden after he was hit.
Moden was flown to University of Colorado Hospital in Denver where he later died.
"He loved his family. He loved being a trooper and he loved his pursuit of trying to make a difference. That's what Will did and he did it every single day," officials said.
"Trooper Moden had a big heart and he loved his family and loved being a State Trooper. All he wanted to do was make a difference," said Colonel Matthew Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol in a news release.
"We are shaken... devastated. Pick an emotion, angry, sad, hurt. That's probably the biggest one right now, we are hurting. This is an organization that is driving so hard, dedicated so intently on saving lives, and we lost somebody today that did that. In fact, Will is on a team that investigates serious crashes, that is what he did. We lost one of our very best. I don't know, the word numb has come up tonight. I think that's probably the best description. We're all over the place because it stinks," said a CSP spokesman.
Several agencies held a procession in the early morning hours from the hospital to honor Moden. He spent 12 years with Colorado State Patrol.
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The crash caused the highway to shut down, but it has since reopened.
CSP says the driver stayed at the scene.
CSP asks those looking to donate to Trooper Moden and his family to donate to the Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation and select the Moden Family Fund, or donating to the Adoption Exchange in tribute to Trooper Moden.