UPDATE: THURSDAY 9/28/2023 9:33 p.m.
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — One of two State Parole officers injured on Thursday by a hit-and-run driver has died, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD).
CSPD held a press conference at 9:30 p.m. outside Memorial Hospital Central, which was attended by CSPD officers and Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade. At the press conference, the Director of the Department of Corrections, Andre Stancil, announced that a State Parole officer had fallen in the line of duty.
“My heart is broken for the family of the officer, the Division of Adult Parole, and the entire Department of Corrections family who are suffering and mourning the loss right now,” said Stancil.
The identity of the officer is not being released as family notifications are still being made.
Following the press conference, a procession of police, fire, and first responder vehicles accompanied the fallen officer from Memorial Hospital.
CSPD said it would provide additional information at a press conference on Friday, Sept. 29, at 1:30 p.m.
Watch as the procession for the fallen officer arrives at the El Paso County Coroner, and a line of officers and first responders paid their respects:
Suspect who hit parole officers arrested
UPDATE: THURSDAY 9/28/2023 7:46 p.m.
According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Justin Kula has been found and an alert issued in the search for him has been cancelled.
CBI said the Lexus RX 330 that Kula was driving when he hit two State Parole officers was also found. CBI did not share any updates on the condition of either officer, one of whom was injured seriously.
Suspect identified in hit-and-run crash involving officers
UPDATE: THURSDAY 9/28/2023 6:13 p.m.
CSPD has identified the driver of the car that hit and injured two parole officers as 41-year-old Justin Andrew Kula.
CSPD is still looking for Kula. He is a white man, 5’10” tall and weighing 245 pounds. He has brown eyes and is balding. If you see him, call 911 immediately, do not approach.
Two parole officers injured in hit-and-run crash
UPDATE: THURSDAY 9/28/2023 5:43 p.m.
According to CSPD, two State Parole officers were injured in a hit-and-run crash west of Downtown around 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, and both were taken to the hospital, one with serious injuries.
Both officers were walking in the area when they were hit.
Police are looking for the driver responsible, who left the scene of the crash. The car is a dark colored, possibly black Lexus RX 330 with Colorado license plates CDA 346.
If you see the car, call 911, do not approach the car.
ORIGINAL STORY: Parole officer hit by car west of I-25 near Downtown
THURSDAY 9/28/2023 4:57 p.m.
The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) is responding to a traffic crash involving a parole officer who was on foot west of Downtown Colorado Springs.
CSPD posted about a crash involving a pedestrian shortly before 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28. The crash happened at the intersection of North Spruce Street and West Bijou Street, just west of I-25.
CSPD said its agency was told the pedestrian involved is as a parole officer. The extent of the officer’s injuries has not been released.
This is a developing story. FOX21 News will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
