Colorado trooper nearly hit by wrong-way on highway near Denver

A Colorado State Patrol (CSP) trooper narrowly avoided a head-on crash as he raced to stop a suspected drunk driver who headed the wrong way on C-470. Around 9 p.m. on Aug. 30, numerous people called 911 to report that the driver of a Nissan SUV was going eastbound in the westbound lanes of the highway just west of Interstate 25. Within roughly three minutes, a CSP trooper located the vehicle and narrowly missed being hit by it head on. The trooper immediately turned around and followed the wrong-way driver and got the driver to stop on the shoulder. However, when he approached the driver she didn't immediately acknowledge his requests to get out of her vehicle and backed into his stopped patrol car. Nobody was injured but both vehicles had minor damage. The driver, a 22-year-old Denver woman, was taken into custody and cited for driving under the influence and multiple traffic violations, according to CSP. She was later released to a sober party. “This impaired driver put herself and other motorists in incredible danger: not just weaving, but driving full speed in the wrong lane towards other unsuspecting drivers,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Troopers work around the clock to prevent tragedies from happening, and tonight, this trooper very possibly saved lives.” More local videos here: https://bit.ly/2Pa0d1l Subscribe to NEXT: http://bit.ly/2eP1GwI Stay connected: 9NEWS Website: http://www.9news.com/ Facebook:   / ilike9news   Twitter:   / 9news   Instagram:   / 9newsdenver   Download the 9NEWS App: https://www.9news.com/appredirect/ Sign up for the 9NEWSLETTER: https://www.9news.com/email 9NEWS (KUSA) is located in Denver, Colorado.