July 27--A man who was apparently trying to escape from police was injured early Tuesday when he crashed his car into a University of Northern Colorado police car.
Taylor Copenhaver, 64, has been released from North Colorado Medical Center, and Evans police said Wednesday charges are pending.
According to Evans police spokeswoman Rita Wolf, the incident began at 12:20 a.m. Tuesday when an Evans officer stopped a car for speeding in the 2700 block of U.S. 85. "After checking the driver, the officer found that the license plate was apparently stolen," Wolf said. "When the officer asked for the driver's registration, he sped away."
The Evans officer followed Copenhaver's Ford Explorer, in what Wolf said were low speeds. The car turned off the highway and traveled through residential areas until he sped up on 17th Avenue and Reservoir Road. Wolf said at that intersection, Copenhaver ran the stop sign and hit the UNC patrol car, which was there to help the Evans officer.
The collision was at a high speed, Wolf said, and Copenhaver's car overturned, injuring him. He was taken to NCMC by ambulance.
The UNC officer was not injured, although his patrol car sustained heavy damage.
Wolf said Copenhaver will be charged with reckless driving, eluding, driving with a suspended license and speeding.
