Colorado state trooper rushed to hospital after traffic stop turns violent, investigators say

A Colorado State Patrol trooper was rushed to the hospital on Thursday morning after investigators said a traffic stop on I-76 in the northeastern part of the Denver metro area turned violent. The search continued for the suspect driver who remained at large after the incident.

According to investigators, just after 9 a.m. two state troopers were conducting a team operation on I-76 in Adams County. That's when one of the troopers initiated a traffic stop on the interstate near Sable Boulevard exit when the driver of a BMW M235i failed to yield to a stationary emergency vehicle. 

Troopers said during the stop, the adult male driver refused to exit the vehicle and allegedly became combative with the troopers before taking off. As the troopers tried to remove the driver, a window was broken on the BMW. Troopers said the driver struck one of the troopers with the BMW and continued driving eastbound, taking the southbound exit onto Sable Boulevard towards 104th Avenue. 

The trooper, who had been struck, returned to his patrol vehicle and tried to pursue the suspect driver. Investigators said due to weather conditions and speed, the patrol vehicle skidded into the center concrete median, damaging the undercarriage and causing the patrol vehicle to become disabled. 

The trooper was rushed to the hospital for evaluation of injuries. A second trooper drove himself to the hospital as a precautionary measure. CSP provided an update Thursday afternoon, stating that both troopers have been released from the hospital and are recovering at home. They will both return to full duty.

The search continued for the suspect driver of the BMW after that incident. The vehicle has been described as a white, 4-door BMW M235i.