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Colorado law enforcement conduct 'Move Over' patrol Thursday to remind drivers to change lanes

Drivers receive warning or ticket
Posted at 4:23 PM, Nov 30, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-01 17:25:39-05

DENVER – After a Colorado State Trooper was killed last Friday when he was hit by a truck that failed to move over, several Denver-area law enforcement agencies conducted patrols Thursday to enforce the state’s “Move Over” law.

Colorado State Patrol Trooper Cody Donahue was killed after he was hit by a food delivery truck that failed to move over while Donahue and another trooper investigated a different crash. His funeral will be held on Friday.

Trooper Jamie Jursevics was killed in a similar crash involving a drunk driver that failed to acknowledge the presence of law enforcement on the side of the road.

"You’re required to move over at least one lane,” said Commander Eric Schmitt with the Greenwood Village Police Department. “Every year we lose multiple police officers, fire, EMS, road crews and tow truck operators to exactly this.”

Colorado’s “Move Over” law requires drivers to move over at least one lane when approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights on, or slow down if they are unable to change lanes.

The patrol to re-educate drivers about the law is set for Thursday, Dec. 1. Officers from Greenwood Village, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, Denver Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Lone Tree Police Department will take part in the patrols.

“It’s just such a dangerous environment,” said Sgt. Scott Jones with the GVPD. "We're kind of endangering ourselves to even contact the driver during these stops on I-25."

Officers will educate and possibly ticket any drivers who fail to obey the law. A written warning could also be issued.

A Greenwood Village patrol car was totaled when a driver slammed into it during a traffic stop back in January. Officer Austin Speer was inside the car at the time but was not injured.

"It’s dangerous to be on the highway, we just have to be observant and be as safe as we possibly can," said Officer Speer.

Parker police are conducting a patrol of a different kind Wednesday; officers are posting up in areas of town that have been identified as areas of concern for speeders and other traffic violators.

Trooper Donahue’s funeral is set for Friday at the Denver First Church of the Nazarene. Gov. John Hickenlooper on Wednesday ordered flags lowered to half-staff statewide that day in Donahue’s remembrance and honor. 

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