DENVER (KDVR) — A suspect has been arrested in connection with two hit-and-run incidents Saturday in Clear Creek County, according to law enforcement.
Clear Creek Sheriff’s Office He said The first hit-and-run incident occurred around noon, with the suspect allegedly ramming a car parked in the parking lot of a Safeway in the town of Idaho Springs.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, officers attempted to contact the alleged suspect at his home. At that time, the suspect was reported to be traveling in a vehicle eastbound on Dumont Road.
A Clear Creek deputy, along with an officer from the Idaho Springs Police Department, responded and stopped the vehicle, attempting to coax the alleged suspect out of the vehicle.
“Instead, the suspect reversed his vehicle, striking the officer, who was reversing his vehicle and attempting to flee,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
The officer was transported as a precaution and “is expected to be OK,” the sheriff’s office said.
After the suspect struck the officer, he then headed east on Dumont Road and then entered east on I-70 around milepost 236. A deputy, shortly after, also entered east on I-70, eventually locating the suspect who was traveling on the interstate in the right lane, which was around milepost 236, the sheriff’s office said.
The deputy then attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the suspect “swerved left,” pushing the Clear Creek patrol car into the center divider, damaging the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.
The vehicle reportedly ran off the highway at Fall River Road, prompting a search for the suspect. Idaho Springs section as well Issued Shelter in place around 3:00pm for residents and businesses in the Lawson and Dumont areas.
At approximately 3:15 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office reported that the suspect was taken into custody after a crash near West Dumont Road and Stanley Road.