Truck Driver Charged With Killing Trooper Appears In Court
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (CBS4) - A commercial truck driver charged with striking and killing a Colorado State Patrol trooper on Interstate 25 on Friday appeared in Douglas County Court on Monday with family members by his side.
The crash happened in the afternoon as a truck driver was headed north on Interstate 25 just south of Castle Rock in a US Foods truck. According to court documents, Noe Gamez-Ruiz drifted over a lane, striking trooper Cody Donahue.
Donhue and another trooper were investigating a crash. They were pulled over to the side of the road in marked patrol vehicles, both with emergency lights on. Donahue was outside of the car when he was struck and died immediately.
Police say Gamez-Ruiz pulled over after the crash and stayed on the scene. He then voluntarily submitted a blood test and has been cooperative in the investigation.
Gamez-Ruiz bonded out after being arrested following the crash. He didn't speak with reporters as he left the courtroom Monday morning
RELATED: Suspect's Family 'Devastated By The Tragedy'
Gamez-Ruiz is being charged with two misdemeanors:
- Careless driving resulting in death
- Failing to move over for an emergency vehicle
An official in the district attorney's office told CBS4 those charges are the most appropriate at this point but they could change.
Gamez-Ruiz is due back in court at the end of January.
Additional Resources
Contribute to the Cody Donahue Memorial Fund through GoFundMe.
