Man Sentenced In Crash That Injured Officer

THORNTON, Colo. (AP) -- A driver who struck a Thornton motorcycle officer who was making a traffic stop has been sentenced to three years behind bars.

Fernando Malagon pleaded guilty to vehicular assault-driving under the influence earlier, and prosecutors announced his sentence Friday.

Prosecutors say Thornton police officer Joe Dougherty was pulling over a vehicle on Interstate 25 on Sept. 24 when Malagon swerved into Dougherty's lane and struck the officer's motorcycle. Dougherty suffered a pelvic fracture and abdominal injury.

Prosecutors say Malagon's blood-alcohol level was .138 after the crash, and he tested positive for cocaine.

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