Driver, Colorado state trooper injured in wrong-way chase near Pueblo

Suspect arrested on suspicion of DUI after fleeing scene of initial crash

Jan. 28, 2026 at 12:39pm

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Two drivers, including a Colorado State Patrol trooper, were injured early Wednesday morning after trying to stop a suspected drunk driver traveling the wrong way on Interstate 25 near Pueblo. The suspect, Elaine Bliss of Denver, allegedly fled the scene of the initial crash but was later apprehended and arrested on charges of DUI, failing to yield, and driving the wrong way.

Why it matters

Wrong-way driving incidents on highways are extremely dangerous and often result in severe injuries or fatalities. This case highlights the risks law enforcement face when responding to such incidents, as well as the need for stronger measures to prevent drunk and impaired driving in Colorado.

The details

Around 3:45 a.m., CSP troopers responded to a call of a wrong-way driver on I-25 near mile marker 113. The driver, later identified as Elaine Bliss, turned around at mile marker 112 and troopers chased the car, which was then going north in the northbound lanes to around mile marker 117. Initially, Bliss didn't stop, but then pulled over around mile marker 123, near the Pikes Peak Racetrack. As a second trooper tried to block Bliss in by stopping in front of her car, a 2001 Hummer struck the second trooper's patrol car. That trooper and the driver of the Hummer were both injured and taken to the hospital. Bliss then allegedly fled the scene and continued north on I-25, but was eventually stopped and arrested by Fountain police officers near mile marker 132.

  • Around 3:45 a.m. on January 28, 2026, CSP troopers responded to a call of a wrong-way driver on I-25 near mile marker 113.
  • Bliss turned around at mile marker 112 and troopers chased the car, which was then going north in the northbound lanes to around mile marker 117.
  • Bliss pulled over around mile marker 123, near the Pikes Peak Racetrack.
  • Bliss allegedly fled the scene and continued north on I-25, but was eventually stopped and arrested by Fountain police officers near mile marker 132.

The players

Elaine Bliss

A Denver resident who was arrested on charges of DUI, failing to yield, and driving the wrong way on I-25.

Colorado State Patrol

The law enforcement agency that responded to the initial call and pursued the wrong-way driver.

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What’s next

Court records for Elaine Bliss's case were not yet available as of late Wednesday morning, but Colorado State Patrol said she was uninjured.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to prevent drunk and impaired driving in Colorado, as well as the risks law enforcement face when responding to such dangerous situations on the roads.