DENVER (KDVR) — A Commerce Metropolis police officer and father of two remains to be recovering from traumatic accidents he incurred from a suspected DUI crash on Dec. 31, and several other teams are stepping up to make sure he will get the assist he wants.
Commerce Metropolis Patrol Officer Aaron Cortez was investigating a crash on Interstate 270 west of Vasquez Boulevard simply after midnight on Dec. 31 when a suspected drunk driver crashed into the again of Cortez’s patrol automobile. Cortez had solely been with the company for 2 years earlier than the crash.
Cortez survived however was taken to a neighborhood hospital with a extreme concussion, along with hip, again and neck accidents. He advised FOX31’s Greg Nieto that he was investigated a suspected DUI single-vehicle crash when the second suspected DUI driver crashed into the scene.
“Final thing I noticed was headlights and somebody had crashed into the again of my patrol automobile,” Cortez mentioned. “Solely God is aware of the place we’d be if the seat belt wasn’t on.”
In accordance with the MC1 Basis, Cortez spent a number of days within the hospital after which was moved to a rehabilitation facility for additional therapeutic.
“We as a division and our native Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 19 are doing every little thing we will to assist him bodily, financially and emotionally— however we might use a bit of further assist,” the Commerce Metropolis Police Division mentioned in a Fb publish. “He and his spouse Delaney are elevating two younger boys and have incidentals not coated by insurance coverage and employee’s compensation.”
That is why the MC1 Basis is concerned. The group was began in honor of Sgt. Dave Baldwin, of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Workplace, who was killed within the line of responsibility in 2014 when he was hit by a wrong-way driver whereas driving his bike.
The inspiration additionally began a fundraiser to assist Golden Police Officer Bethany Grusing after she was significantly injured in a crash that killed fellow Golden Police Officer Evan Dunn on Nov. 6, 2024.
The driving force who struck Cortez on Dec. 31 was dealing with vehicular assault fees and it is unclear if the suspect was injured within the crash. The crash was investigated by the Colorado State Patrol.
As Cortez heals from the crash, he is discovering pleasure wherever potential. One factor he is enthusiastic about is the upcoming Broncos-Payments recreation on Sunday for the Wild Card Playoff recreation.
“We undoubtedly bleed ‘Orange & Blue.’ We have been followers our entire lives,” mentioned Cortez, together with his household within the assertion. He known as the upcoming recreation a “mild spot in a darkish scenario.”
“It’s gonna be completely different, not with the ability to actually get our ‘cheer on,’ however we’re gonna take pleasure in it, nonetheless,” Cortez mentioned.
Anybody can ship donations to the MC1 Basis for the Cortez household right here.
