Watch: Colorado State Patrol Pursuit Ends With PIT Maneuver
What to Know
- The pursuit began after the driver was observed traveling on the shoulder in the wrong direction and exhibiting erratic behavior.
- Trooper Mass disengaged from a separate traffic stop to pursue the suspect, who continued at high speeds and nearly caused head-on collisions.
- A tactical PIT maneuver was executed to disable the vehicle and prevent it from entering an active work zone, ensuring safety for workers and motorists.
CORTEZ, Colo. — The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) released dashcam footage of a high-risk vehicle pursuit near Cortez that ended when a trooper used a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver to stop an allegedly impaired driver approaching an active work zone.
The incident occurred April 8 on U.S. Highway 160 in the Four Corners region. An 81-year-old driver was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving, and eluding law enforcement, according to KMGH-TV.
The video shows Trooper Mass conducting a separate traffic stop when he observed a Jeep Gladiator traveling on the shoulder in the wrong direction. Motorists at the scene alerted the trooper to the vehicle’s erratic movement. Trooper Mass then disengaged from the initial stop, returned to his patrol unit, and initiated a pursuit.
During the pursuit, CSP said the driver continued at high speed along the shoulder, crossed into oncoming traffic lanes, and nearly caused multiple head-on collisions. The driver did not yield after the trooper activated emergency lights and sirens.
With an active construction zone ahead and the suspect vehicle failing to stop, Trooper Mass executed a tactical vehicle intervention to prevent the Jeep from entering the work area. The maneuver successfully disabled the vehicle and ended the pursuit.
The driver was taken into custody and booked into the Montezuma County Jail, according to CSP. The individual has not been publicly identified.
CSP released the dashcam footage during National Work Zone Safety Week, emphasizing the operational risks impaired and noncompliant drivers pose to roadway workers, responding officers, and the public. The incident highlights the importance of timely intervention tactics and situational awareness when pursuits approach high-risk environments such as construction zones.