Washington County Carjacking & Pursuit, as paged

[jimmnn]

From CSP PIO:

The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) is currently working in conjunction with the Washington County Sherriff’s Office (WCSO) on a crash that occurred on the eastern plains that turned into a carjacking /pursuit in Washington County.

At 12:55 P.M. the CSP was notified of a single vehicle roll-over crash on Hwy 34 near Washington County Road Q involving a Toyota FJ Cruiser. The two male occupants of the Toyota escaped uninjured. A passerby stopped to offer assistance. The two male occupants of the Toyota immediately pulled a handgun on the passerby and took his vehicle. The vehicle, a Nissan pick-up was taken from the scene. WCSO observed the Nissan as they were responding to the crash scene. WCSO deputies turned around and attempted to stop Nissan using their emergency lights and siren. The Nissan failed to stop for the deputies and the deputies began to pursue the Nissan. At 1:02 p.m. the CSP joined the pursuit. During the pursuit of the Nissan several shots were fired from the Nissan toward the pursuing police vehicles. Shots were not returned in the direction of the Nissan. The pursuit continued through the towns of Akron, Otis and Yuma. At 1:19 p.m. the Nissan was forced off the road and eventually stopped by Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI). The TVI caused the vehicle to roll ejecting the passenger and trapping the driver inside the Nissan.

The driver of the Nissan, James Gonzales DOB 7/28/86 of Denver, and Michael Martinez DOB 12/04/84 of Denver were transported to the Yuma Hospital before being flown to Swedish Hospital in Denver. Both occupants were transported with serious injuries.

The Toyota FJ Cruiser was entered as a stolen vehicle by the Westminster Police Department on 1/26/13.

The CSP and WCSO were assisted by Yuma County Sherriff’s Office, Yuma Police Department and Wray Police Department.

Criminal charges are pending, and will be filed through the District Attorney’s office of the 13th Judicial District upon completion of the investigations.