No Charges To Be Filed In Death Of Trooper William Moden

ARAPAHOE COUNTY, CO — No charges will be filed in the death of Colorado State Trooper William Modén, the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office announced Thursday. The trooper's death was an accident, investigators said.

Modén, 37, was struck by a vehicle in June while he was investigating a crash on Interstate 70 near Deer Trail in Arapahoe County.

Colorado State Patrol and 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler said an investigation revealed no misconduct or careless action by the driver who hit Modén.

Modén responded to a rollover crash June 14 at about 9:45 p.m. on I-70. The crash involved a young mom and her baby, authorities said. The trooper parked his vehicle on the side of the highway.

Modén then stepped into traffic, and was struck by a driver who didn't see him in the dark, investigators said. The driver stayed and cooperated with the investigation, and did not have alcohol or drugs in his system, authorities said.

The mother who was involved in the rollover crash and her 18-month-old child were thrown from the vehicle, which was going 100 mph when it crashed, troopers said.

The mother sustained serious injuries, and the toddler suffered minor injuries. The child wasn't properly restrained, authorities said.

Madison Fitchett-Howard, 22, has been charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving and child abuse, Colorado State Patrol said. Investigators are still awaiting toxicology tests that will determine whether Fitchett-Howard was under the influence of alcohol.

Moden had worked as a state trooper for 12 years. Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the state patrol, described him as a "tremendous servant."