Driver Shot By Colorado Trooper During Traffic Stop
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP/CBS4) — A 55-year-old man is in the hospital after being shot by a state trooper trying to arrest him in El Paso County.
The Colorado State Patrol says the driver, identified as Joseph Francis Cimeno, made an illegal U-turn near South Academy Blvd. and Interstate 25 and drove for four miles before pulling over for the trooper around 1 a.m. Thursday.
When Cimeno, 55, did stop, the patrol says he resisted arrest and assaulted the 29-year-old trooper, who fired his gun at the man.
Cimeno was taken to Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. The trooper suffered minor injuries in what police described as a "violent struggle."
"The community should know that these officers work hard protecting their streets and unfortunately one got injured," said Colorado State Patrol spokesman Nate Reid. "Unfortunately this had to end the way it did but these guys are out here working hard and trying to protect all of us."
Colorado Springs police and the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office are investigating the shooting.
Colorado Springs police Sgt. Joel Kern told The Gazette that it's not known whether Cimeno was armed.
Cimeno is facing charges of second-degree assault on a peace officer, a felony.
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