Colorado Trooper Injured During Traffic Stop
WESTMINSTER, Colo. (AP/CBS4) - A Colorado state trooper is recovering from minor injuries after he was dragged about 100 yards during a traffic stop Thursday night near Westminster.
The Colorado State Patrol said the trooper was trying to question Joshua Fitzgerald, 21, of Arvada, about giving a false name when the driver pulled away.
The trooper was injured when he tried several times to take the keys out of the ignition and Fitzgerald allegedly held his arm and prevented him from doing so.
When the car finally came to a stop two other troopers who were there were able to detain Fitzgerald and arrest him.
The incident happened at about 11:21 p.m. and took place at 84th between Federal and Zuni in unincorporated Adams County. Police said the trooper initially contacted Fitzgerald because he didn't have the headlights in his car on. They described what happened next in a news release:
"Following the initial contact with the driver, it was determined that he had given the trooper a false name. The trooper made a second attempt to obtain identification when the driver gave a second false name. The trooper contacted the driver to have him exit the vehicle when the driver failed to comply with the trooper's order to exit the vehicle and began to drive forward."
Authorities booked Fitzgerald into the Adams County Jail on Thursday morning. He faces a series of charges, including 1st degree assault of a peace officer, resisting arrest, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and criminal impersonation.
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