AURORA, Colo.-
An Aurora police officer suffered fatal injuries when he was thrown from his patrol car after he lost control and crashed while responding to a medical emergency, authorities said Monday.
Doug Byrne, 37, died about 2 a.m., some six hours after the crash, Detective Robert Friel said. Friel said Byrne suffered severe head and chest injuries.
The Aurora Sentinel and Daily Sun reported on its Web site that Byrne had swerved to avoid a stopped vehicle when his patrol car went out of control.
Authorities have not said whether he was wearing a seat belt.
Police Chief Daniel Oates said officers are required to wear seat belts but it is “common practice” for them to unfasten them when they get close to their destination so they can get out quickly.
It was not immediately clear how far Byrne was from his destination when he crashed.
Byrne was on his way to assist paramedics treating Cedrick Niblet, 21, who appeared to be suffering from a seizure at a park, police said. Authorities said Niblet died, apparently of natural causes.
Byrne had been with the department for nearly three years after working for the Glendale police for about six years.
