Last night's quiet was shattered by the wail of sirens as Fort Collins Police were called to the scene of a serious accident near South Shields Street and West Laurel Street. At around 11:51 pm, a 1997 Chevrolet pickup truck was found mangled against a tree, a stark image against the calm of the night. The driver, an adult male with life-threatening injuries, was rushed to an area hospital in critical condition.
The police response was immediate, with the Fort Collins Police CRASH Team taking the reins of the investigation. A preliminary look by the authorities suggested that the truck, traveling southbound, lost control after hitting a tree and curb, resulting in another collision with a tree. According to the City of Fort Collins, alcohol is considered a contributing factor in this calamity.
But even as officials combed through the wreckage, attentiveness to the alert system might have waned for another driver. While the area was sealed off, a patrolling vehicle, beaconing with flashing emergency lights and positioned to safeguard the investigators, was struck by another car, an incident unfolding separately from the initial crash. This driver, now in custody, faces DUI charges after a police-conducted investigation confirmed suspicions of impairment. Fortunately, this collision left no one injured.
