DENVER — The loved ones of three Colorado State Patrol Troopers killed in the line of duty offered emotional testimony to the Colorado Senate Transportation Committee. The grieving families are asking lawmakers to pass HB 1145 setting clear guidelines for speed when drivers pass roadside scenes and hazards.
We heard powerful and courageous testimony from the loved ones of state troopers killed in the line of duty working roadside scenes. Their message to state lawmakers... moving over isn't enough. It's time for drivers to slow down.
"My world was forever changed nine months ago on June 14th. I lost the love of my life, my best friend, my everything, My husband," Amy Moden, widow of Trooper William Moden told the Colorado Senate Transportation Committee.
"This morning I woke up to my 10-year-old daughter smiling and saying "Mom, I had the best dream of daddy last night." And that was something that was so heartwarming and also so painful to hear," Velma Donahue, widow of Trooper Cody Donahue told Colorado lawmakers.
"Our plans will never happen. Our life has been ripped away. Stolen. All because someone although following the law as currently written was driving too fast," said Eddie Gomez, the partner of Trooper Dan Groves.
Colorado State Patrol Troopers Moden, Donahue, and Groves lost their lives. Hit by drivers while working outside their vehicles along Colorado roads. Their loved ones are asking state lawmakers to pass a new law that would require drivers to move over and slow down to 25 mph while passing a roadside scene if the speed limit is less than 45 mph, or 20 mph less than the speed limit if the speed limit is above 45mph.
"It's terrifying. It's a problem and it's an issue and that's why we are so avid about making change and pushing forward with making things more clear," Amy Moden told News5 after the hearing.
"I can't understand why people are not doing the right thing. And that's exactly what it is," Velma Donahue told News5. "Here in Colorado it's a huge problem and it needs to stop. It really needs to stop. People's lives are in danger. People are dying because of it. Families are brokenhearted because of it."
State troopers say they when this becomes law they can use their radars inside their vehicles on the roadside to track how fast vehicles are passing those roadside scenes.
State lawmakers say we can expect to see billboards in the coming months as a statewide campaign will try to get drivers to slow down when they are passing those roadside scenes.
To take a closer look at HB 1145 click here
