AURORA, CO — The chief of Toledo Fire and Rescue is recovering after a serious hit-and-run crash in Colorado left her with multiple injuries, including a fractured sternum and fractured back. Allison Armstrong said she was in the state for a firefighter conference in Colorado Springs when the crash happened Friday night on Interstate 225.
Armstrong posted Sunday that she was still in pain and dealing with swelling and contusions after the collision. She said she was grateful the crash was not worse and that no one else was hurt. The vehicle she was driving was struck from behind, pushed into a concrete barrier wall and spun around before coming to a stop facing the opposite direction.
Armstrong says the other vehicle was traveling much faster before impact
In her account of the crash, Armstrong said she was driving about 65 mph with cruise control set when her SUV was hit from behind. She estimated the vehicle that struck her was moving at least 80 mph. The force of the impact sent her vehicle forward and to the right before it hit the barrier wall.
She said the SUV then spun around and ended up facing the opposite direction. Armstrong also said that, despite the severity of the collision, the airbags and seatbelts helped limit the damage. She thanked those safety features and said she was relieved the SUV did not flip.
Chief describes fractured sternum, back pain and swelling after Sunday assessment
Armstrong said her injuries include a fractured sternum, fractured back, whiplash, “many” contusions and significant swelling and pain. She said Sunday was especially difficult as swelling increased and new pain developed in places she had not noticed immediately after the crash.
Her comments suggested the full extent of the injuries became clearer after the initial shock of the collision wore off. Armstrong said she was thankful that emergency conditions were not worse and that people behind her were able to stop or change lanes without hitting her vehicle as well.
Police arrested a 21-year-old Centennial man on suspicion of DUI
WTOL Channel 11 reported that a suspect, Christopher Archuleta-Martinez, 21, of Centennial, Colorado, has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. No additional details about the arrest were included in the information shared by the station.
The crash happened on Interstate 225 in Aurora, adding a local law-enforcement response to an incident that began as a conference-related trip for Armstrong. Aurora police and fire personnel helped her after the wreck, and she later thanked them publicly for their response.
Toledo officials and lawmakers offered support after the collision
Armstrong’s injury prompted a public response from U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, who represents the Toledo area. Kaptur said she was offering prayers and hopes for Armstrong’s recovery and praised her dedication to duty and community.
Kaptur also referred to Armstrong as a “She-ro for Toledo,” noting that she had followed in her father’s footsteps and distinguished herself in first response work. In her statement, the congresswoman said Armstrong’s strength of purpose would carry her through the weeks of recovery ahead.
Armstrong thanks first responders and supporters for their help
Armstrong used social media to thank police and fire personnel in Aurora for helping her immediately after the crash. She also expressed appreciation for the many people who reached out with prayers and messages of support in the days afterward.
She said she was humbled by the outpouring of kindness and love, and she emphasized that the crash could have been much worse. Armstrong wrote that the response from others, combined with the protection of airbags and seatbelts, gave her gratitude even in the middle of a painful recovery.
