Too Close To Troopers

WALSENBURG – A Trinidad woman was killed, and three others injured after a semi-truck crashed into a Colorado State Patrol car Wednesday morning, just south of Walsenburg.

56-year-old Connie Tucker died, 49-year-old Rhonda Traber also of Trinidad Wednesday night was in serious condition, and 42-year-old Colorado State Trooper Brad Kennerson in serious condition. 23-year-old semi driver German Rosales received moderate injuries.

The two women were sitting in Kennerson’s backseat patrol car waiting out the storm, after being involved in an accident that happened just moments before when the vehicle was struck.

Charges against Rosales are pending.

On impact, Trooper Kennerson was parked on the left shoulder, with his emergency lights on. As such, any oncoming traffic is mandated by state law to merge away from parked emergency vehicles that have flashing lights on. If drivers fail to do so, they could face a $67 dollar fine.

Fact is, drivers don’t follow the rules most of the time.

It means that Colorado State Trooper Prewitt take extra caution when on routine traffic stops.

“You can never let your guard down out here. It brings a sense of reality to the true dangers of this job. When you’re standing on that white line on the edge of the road, and there’s only about a foot and a half between you and cars going by you at 80 miles an hour, it definitely gets your attention,” said Prewitt.