EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) – A state trooper was seriously injured in a crash along the 115 Freeway late Wednesday afternoon.

According to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP), Trooper Tyler Atkins was investigating an accident a few miles southwest of Colorado Springs when his patrol SUV was rear-ended at 3:44 p.m.

Photos released by CSP show severe damage to the SUV, as well as the Nissan Sentra that rear-ended it.

Atkins, who was inside the SUV at the time, was airlifted to UCHealth Memorial Central with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

CSP later confirmed Atkins was treated at hospital, then released hours later to continue his recovery at home.

The driver who caused the accident remained at the scene, according to CSP. That driver, who has not been identified, was believed to be under the influence at the time.

“What else do we need to say to get drivers to pay attention?” declared in a statement col. Matthew C. Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “If the wheel is in your hands, you need to be alert, your eyes need to be up and it’s your responsibility to keep everyone else on the road safe. No warnings for not moving, no warnings for Impaired Driving, just long lasting consequences Do your job as a driver and focus on the task at hand.

CSP said this is the 11th time this year that a state patrol vehicle has been hit and the second time this month.

Both sides of the highway remained closed for nearly two hours.

The scene was finally cleared around 7:15 a.m., allowing drivers to resume travel in both directions between Colorado Springs and Penrose.