Extremely Tragic
ADAMS COUNTY – One of the troopers who was hit Thursday by a pickup on I-76, died from his injuries on Friday.
Trooper Zachariah Templeton, 27, died early Friday evening. State patrol says funeral services are still pending.
Trooper Scott Hinshaw, 38, remains at Denver Health Medical Center in serious condition.
"As a family, if you will, state patrol, it's particularly tough when it's somebody within your department, that's one of your own, that wears the same uniform," said Sgt. John Hahn, unit commander for the public affairs section of the state patrol. "And certainly it's very difficult for the people who know and care a great deal about those two troopers."
The state patrol says the two troopers were helping 65-year-old Terrence Rice of Erie load two plastic farm chemical tanks back onto a trailer on I-76 when the crash occurred.
Troopers say the tanks had come off of the trailer and as they worked together, a green Ford F-150 pickup heading east went off the interstate to the left and hit the two troopers. The driver of the truck, according to CSP, was a 17-year-old boy.
Authorities say the accident happened at about 4:40 p.m. Thursday.
CSP says the teen had not realized traffic was slowing in time and suddenly hit the brakes before steering to the left to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of him. The teen and his 16-year-old passenger were both wearing seat belts and were not hurt. Rice was also not injured.
Hahn called the crash "somewhat ironic" because Hinshaw was very passionately involved in Alive at 25, a program that teaches driving skills to teens and young drivers.
"He's the type of individual that spends a great deal of his time concerned about other people rather than himself," said Hahn. "I can see that's probably the biggest reason why he involved himself with Alive at 25, why he's good at teaching it."
Templeton was airlifted to the hospital. Hinshaw was taken by ground ambulance to the hospital where he remains in serious condition.
CSP says alcohol and drugs are not suspected in the accident and that charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.
All lanes of eastbound I-76 and two lanes of westbound I-76 were closed for part of Thursday afternoon, but reopened later in the day.
"It certainly takes emotions to a different level. The way that you conduct business, the way you handle controlling the scene, at least starting the investigation is the same," said Hahn. "It's the emotional side of what's going on is a bit greater, it ups the ante, if you will, when it turns out to be someone from your own department."
