Cliff Pinckard
cleveland.com
AURORA, Colorado — The chief for Toledo Fire and Rescue is recovering after she was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash in Colorado.
Allison Armstrong was in the state for a firefighter conference in Colorado Springs when the crash occurred Friday night on Interstate 225, WTOL Channel 11 reports.
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In a post on social media, Armstrong said Sunday she was still in pain from the crash. She said her injuries include a fractured sternum, fractured back, whiplash, “many” contusions, and swelling and pain.
“Thank god for air bags. Thank god for seatbelts,” Armstrong said. “Thank god my vehicle didn’t flip. Thank god everyone behind me was able to stop or move into another lane without also striking me.
“I have a lot of injuries from this accident but am truly grateful it wasn’t worse and no one else was hurt.”
Armstrong said she was driving at 65 mph with her vehicle on cruise control when her SUV was struck from behind. She estimated the vehicle that hit her was going at least 80 mph.
She said the collision pushed her SUV forward, turned it to the right and directly into a concrete barrier wall. She said her SUV spun around and ended up facing the opposite direction.
“As expected, today (Sunday) has been terribly rough as swelling increases and I now have pain and swelling in places that I didn’t realize the night of the accident,” she said.
WTOL reports a suspect, Christopher Archuleta-Martinez, 21, of Centennial, Colo., has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who represents the Toledo area, released a statement Sunday offering “prayers and hopes” for Armstrong’s recovery.
“We know her utter dedication to duty and to our community,” Kaptur said. “Following in her father’s footsteps, she has distinguished herself in first response as a ‘She-ro for Toledo.’
“We know her fierce dedication to duty and strength of purpose will carry her through the necessary weeks of recovery. We send her our fervent wishes of hope for the days ahead.”
Armstrong thanked the police and fire personnel from Aurora for helping her after the crash.
“Thank you to everyone that reached out with thoughts and prayers and all of those who helped me immediately after the accident and in the days to come,” she said. “I am truly humbled by the outpouring of support, kindness and love.”
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