A Colorado man is suing a Colorado Springs police officer, alleging the officer’s “negligent” driving caused a traffic collision that left him with unspecified injuries.

In a four-page lawsuit filed in El Paso County district court on April 29, plaintiff Jason Hansen, a Parker resident, alleges he was driving westbound on East Platte Avenue at its intersection with North Union Boulevard at about 9:14 p.m. on Aug. 10, 2022. He claims Colorado Springs police officer Connor Wallick, who was driving his police cruiser northbound on Union, failed to stop at a red light at the intersection and ran into Hansen’s vehicle.

“Defendant Wallick was driving negligently in driving aggressively, failing to keep a proper lookout and otherwise failing to operate (the police) vehicle in a safe and prudent manner,” therefore causing the collision and bodily injury to Hansen, the plaintiff claims.

Hansen seeks compensatory damages for physical pain and suffering, temporary loss of the enjoyment of life, physical impairment, temporary loss of capacity to perform household work, and inconvenience, according to the lawsuit. He also seeks additional fees, costs and interest.

The city and the Colorado Springs Police Department, also named as defendants, are vicariously liable for Hansen’s injuries, he states in court documents.

In a six-page answer filed May 23, city attorneys deny Hansen’s claims.

Hansen “was comparatively negligent” and his “damages, if any, may have been caused by the actions or inactions of third parties over whom city defendants have no control or right of control,” they argue. City attorneys also argue Hansen “may have failed to mitigate his damages, if any, as required by law,” and that his alleged injuries and damages “may have existed before the incident” or “may have resulted from injuries incurred after the incident.”

Recovery of Hansen’s claimed injuries and damages should, then, “be precluded or diminished as required by law,” city attorneys state.

In a June 25 memo from the City Attorney’s Office to the Civil Action Investigation Committee, city attorneys did not confirm or deny Hansen’s claim that Wallick ran a red light at the intersection.

“(Hansen) was traveling westbound on East Platte Avenue at a speed of around 30 mph. Plaintiff entered the intersection on a green light. At about the same time, the officer entered the intersection at about 15 mph and collided with plaintiff’s vehicle. The accident caused damage to both vehicles,” the memo states.

City attorneys said in the memo both Hansen and Wallick declined medical assistance after the crash.

The City Council informally agreed Monday that the city represent Wallick in the case, as recommended by city attorneys and as required by the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act and the Peace Officer’s Liability Act.