By Kieran Nicholson
The Denver Post
JUNTA, Colo. — A driver fleeing deputies in Otero County was stopped by Colorado State Patrol troopers before the suspect stole a CSP vehicle and then died after a fiery crash.
The incident unfolded before 11 a.m. Tuesday when troopers responded to assist deputies with a “suspect fleeing” along U.S. Route 50, according to a CSP news release.
A “shots fired” report was part of the incident, and the suspect driver allegedly caused multiple crashes, according to the release. A trooper was able to bump the suspect vehicle and bring it to a stop, but during an arrest the suspect stole a marked CSP vehicle and fled.
Authorities pursued the suspect and stop sticks, devices laid on the roadway to blow out tires, were placed on the highway, the release said. After driving over the stop sticks, the stolen patrol vehicle crashed into a parked commercial vehicle and caught on fire. The suspect was pulled from the patrol vehicle and was taken to a hospital where he died. No other injuries were reported.
The man’s name was not released pending notification of his family. An investigation is ongoing.
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